Can You Get a Disability Check and Still Work?

A lot of people have asked this question, and the answer is Yes! You can receive a disability check and still work, under strict limits. Social Security Disability insurance permits you to work per time for extra income while still enjoying its benefits. However, once you begin to engage in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA), payments will stop. The SGA is referred to by Social Security as earnings above $1,260 a month (or $2,110 if a person is blind).

Both federal and SSI income limit for disability benefits is $783 (in 2020). The SSA reduces recipients’ benefits by the amount of countable income. In a case where your only income is from your job, the SSA will not include the first $85 you earn toward your countable income.

Once a person living with disability exceeds those income limits, they will no longer be eligible to collect disability benefits. Unless in a few cases where Social Security initiates a “work incentives” program, that allows SSDI recipients to transition back into the labor force without losing their benefits. Some of these work incentives are also available to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.

The major program under the Social Security work incentives program is the Ticket to Work, which offers beneficiaries or recipients on SSDI and SSI list with job training, work experiences, and other related services that will prepare them for the labor market. This program waives the Substantial Gainful Activity earnings limit. So, you can continue to receive disability checks while you engage in trial work with other employers signed up on the program. If you are able to secure a job through the program, you will automatically go off the disability benefits list. The benefits will resume once you can no longer continue the job due to worsened medical conditions. 

Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries are only allowed a work incentives trial of up to nine months to test their ability to work. The trial months can span across five years, of which you will still get your full benefits during the five years, regardless of your income. During the five years period, you will not be required to file a new disability application for benefits. This is called expedited reinstatement.

Note:

• Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits are adjusted annually depending on national changes in average wages.
• Some work incentives are particular to either SSI or SSDI, while others like Ticket to Work are available to beneficiaries of both groups.