Can You Work while on Disability? Guide To Social Security Disability Benefits

Living with a disabling condition often means facing impossible choices. You need income to pay bills and support yourself, but even a small job can feel risky, threatening the disability benefits you rely on to survive. The fear of losing those benefits while trying to work can leave you feeling trapped, anxious, and unsure of your next steps.

At Montagna Law, our Social Security Disability attorneys understand how stressful this balance can be. We help you make informed decisions about working while applying for disability benefits, guiding you through the complex rules so you can protect your benefits, maintain your income, and find peace of mind.

Disability Programs You Can Apply for

The federal government provides two main disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both programs are run by the Social Security Administration (SSA) but serve different groups, each with its own eligibility rules tied to work history and financial need.

In short, SSDI is for those with disabilities who have worked and paid into Social Security, and SSI is for those who have disabilities or who are over 65 with limited income and resources and who do not have a work history.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Individuals who are unable to work due to a disability and have a qualifying work history may be eligible to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers fund this program.

You must have a significant work history and have paid into Social Security via FICA taxes. Your medical condition must prevent you from working for at least 12 months, or doctors must anticipate it could lead to your death.

Most applicants need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the 10 years immediately before disability onset.

SSDI does not have income or asset limits. However, other types of disability benefits, such as workers’ compensation, may reduce your SSDI payment.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

People who are disabled or at least 65 may receive a monthly benefit amount of basic financial assistance when their income and resources fall below SSI limits. The general tax revenue funds this program, not Social Security taxes. You do not need a work history to qualify for SSI. However, you must be a U.S. citizen. The program also accepts certain lawful residency statuses.

Related Article: Can I Receive Both SSDI and SSI Disability Benefits?

Can You Get Approved for Disability While Working?

As long as your income remains below the substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold and you are disabled, you can receive SSDI benefits or SSI benefits. The programs have different rules for working while receiving benefits.

The Social Security Administration allows you to work if your earnings are below the SGA or if work is irregular due to medical limitations. The SGA amount may change yearly. SSDI recipients can also sign up for the Trial Work Period (TWP), which allows them to work for nine months without losing full benefits, even if their earnings exceed the SGA.

You must prove your medical disability, and the SSA must approve it, even if you are working. Your medical records must show either that you cannot sustain work at SGA levels or that your condition imposes functional limits that prevent substantial employment. Documentation could include doctors’ reports that include work restrictions, prognoses, and other information, as well as records of hospitalizations, treatments, and/or medications.

What Types of Work Count Toward SGA?

The Social Security Administration uses the term “Substantial Gainful Activity” to describe how much you can earn before the SSA may disqualify you for benefits. In 2025, SGA is set at $1,620 per month for most claimants and $2,700 for those who are statutorily blind.

Wages and salaries, self-employment, royalties, intellectual property, bonuses, and commissions all contribute to the SGA. Part-time work also counts toward the monthly limit.

However, if you do not have substantial gainful work and earn less than the monthly limit, you may be able to continue receiving benefits.

How Is Self-Employment Evaluated for SGA?

Because net profit does not always show how much you actually work, SSA applies a three-part test to self-employment:

1. Significant services & substantial income: Did the business pay you at or above SGA?
2. Comparability: Are your hours, skills, and duties comparable to non-disabled owners in similar businesses?
3. Worth of work: Is the work you perform worth at least the SGA amount to the business, even if you pay yourself less? Meeting any one of these prongs can cause SSA to treat your activity as SGA.

SSA also evaluates the value of the work to see if it is at or above the SGA threshold. If it finds that the work is worth what the SGA would pay, it may count the activity.

Finally, SSA considers whether you use the flexibility of being self-employed to accommodate your disability or if you are able to sustain work comparable to non-disabled individuals.

Special Rules in Virginia for SSI Applicants

SSI benefits can fluctuate based on your earnings and deductions. Some of the special rules applicable to SSI include:

• SSI allows people with disabilities to work through special work incentives that exclude certain earned income and permit deductions for impairment-related work expenses. These rules help recipients earn more each month without reducing their SSI payments.
• SSI excludes the first $20 of any income and the first $65 of earned income, totaling $85 in exclusions. After that, SSI reduces benefits by $1 for every $2 earned over $85.
• Under the Student Earned-Income Exclusion (SEIE), students under 22 may exclude up to $2,350 per month, capped at $9,460 for 2025, when SSI calculates countable income.
• You may be able to exclude certain out-of-pocket expenses that relate to your disability if you need those items to work, as long as the cost is reasonable. Examples include co-pay expenses, assistive technology, and special tools designed to accommodate your impairment.
• SSI offers two key work-incentive programs. The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets you set aside income to meet a specific work goal. The Ticket to Work program provides free employment support to qualified SSI or SSDI beneficiaries who wish to return to work.

Trial Work Periods for SSDI Recipients

During the nine-month Trial Work Period (within any rolling 60-month window), you may earn more than the SGA limit and still receive full SSDI checks. In 2025, any month with gross earnings of $1,160 or more (or more than 80 hours of self-employment) counts as a TWP service month.

This program enables SSDI recipients to assess their ability to work without jeopardizing their benefits.

Tips to Protect Your SSDI Eligibility While Working

You can apply for SSDI while working. However, you will need to take certain steps to qualify, including:

• Track your earnings carefully and keep them below SGA levels
• Documenting your job duties accurately
• Avoiding overestimating your capabilities
• Maintaining strong medical documentation

What Happens if You Exceed SGA After Filing?

If you exceed the SGA after filing for disability, you could receive a technical denial, which means the SSA will presume you are capable of substantial work and will deny your application, regardless of your medical condition.

The agency may even deny your claim without reviewing medical evidence if you do not meet financial eligibility.

Always monitor your income, as the SSA considers your income once you apply and while your claim is still pending. You may appeal a technical SGA denial, but must show that subsequent earnings fall below the SGA limit. You can take part in the trial work period once SSA approves your claim.

How Much Can You Work Before Social Security Disability Rejects You?

The current SGA income limit for 2025 is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 per month for individuals who are blind. Even minor income variances can affect eligibility. If your benefits stop because of substantial earnings, you can ask SSA for expedited reinstatement to have your benefits restarted without reapplying, as long as you do so within 5 years of the date SSA stopped your benefits. Expedited reinstatement allows you to receive provisional benefits while SSA reviews your medical condition to determine ongoing eligibility.

When you work, your SSI payments decrease. If you earn $1,000 per month, subtract $85 (the combined $20 general income exclusion and $65 earned income exclusion) to get $915. Divide $915 by 2 because SSI reduces benefits by $1 for every $2 earned over the exclusion. This results in a reduction of $457.50 in your SSI payment.

If you earn $2,000 per month, the same formula would result in a decrease of $957.50 in benefits, which is more than the $967 per month in benefits through SSI.

What Can I Do If I Can’t Work While Waiting for Disability Benefits?

If you are unable to work while waiting for disability benefits, you have several income options, including:

• Applying for state benefits
• Applying for public assistance programs
• Applying for food stamps
• Enlisting support from family members or community services
• Seeking low-income health insurance through Medicaid

SSDI and SSI Application Approval Process

The steps for SSDI and SSI include:

• Submit a claim to the SSA, providing your personal information, work history, and medical condition.
• Disability Determination Services (DDS) in your state reviews your claim, including medical evidence.
• DDS may schedule a consultative exam with an independent doctor at no cost to you if it finds the medical evidence to be insufficient or unclear.
• DDS weighs the medical evidence and any work activity, then issues a decision.

It is imperative that you provide comprehensive medical records to prove your disability for a timely and more favorable decision.

Related Article: Avoiding Saying These Things When Applying for Disability

What if SSA Denies Your Application?

If the SSA denies your application, you may need more evidence to support your condition. You have 60 days from the date the SSA denies your claim to appeal your disability claim. An experienced SSI/SSDI lawyer can help you through this extensive process.

Related Article: When to Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer

Work With The SSDI and SSI Lawyers at Montagna Law

Applying for SSI and SSDI is a lengthy process that can become complicated, especially when you are still able to work. The experienced attorneys at Montagna Law can offer sound legal advice and guide you through the process of applying or filing an appeal.

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Start Your Application With Confidence. Talk to Our Disability Attorney Today.

You do not have to go through the disability application process yourself, worrying about what you might do or say that could lead to a denial. Contact Montagna Law at 757-622-8100 to discuss your disability case and filing an initial application or an appeal. You can also schedule a free consultation by completing our online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Social Security Disability Cover Short-Term Disabilities?

No. SSA programs like SSDI and SSI do not cover short-term or temporary disabilities. To qualify, your medical condition must prevent you from working for at least 12 continuous months or be expected to result in death.

How Many Hours Can You Work While Applying for Social Security Disability?

SSA does not limit the number of hours you can work while applying for Social Security Disability, but if your earnings exceed the SGA limit or if SSA considers your work substantial, it may deny your application. For self-employed applicants, working more than about 45 hours per month is likely to raise questions by the SSA, even if earnings are below the SGA limit.

What Are Common Myths About Disability and Working?

Some of the common myths about disability and working include:

• You cannot apply for disability while working.
• Any earned income disqualifies you.
• You cannot work at all while receiving disability benefits.
• You need to stop working prior to filing for disability benefits.

Will I Lose My Disability Benefits if I Work Part-Time?

You can work part-time and still receive disability benefits as long as your earnings do not exceed the SGA limit. If they exceed the limit, SSA can reduce or terminate your benefits unless you qualify for a Trial Work Period (TWP) or Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE).

Can I Keep My Job and Still Qualify for Disability?

It is possible to keep your job and qualify for disability if your income and work activity do not exceed SGA limits. However, if SSA considers your job duties or earnings too substantial, it may not approve you for benefits.

Should I Stop Working Before Applying?

While you do not have to stop working before applying for disability benefits, the SSA may deny your claim if it thinks you engage in gainful activity, so it is often advisable to reduce or stop work before applying to improve your chances of approval.

What if My Employer Offers Accommodations?

If your employer offers accommodations that allow you to continue working despite your disability, this does not automatically disqualify you from benefits. However, the SSA considers your accommodated job a substantial gainful activity.

Can I Get Benefits if I’m Working Two Jobs?

You may be eligible for disability benefits while working two jobs as long as your combined earnings do not exceed SGA limits. However, if you receive employer-provided disability insurance, benefits from one policy may offset those from another.