Living with a disability creates money problems that affect your whole family. While SSDI benefits help, they often don’t cover all your bills. Many people still need extra income to make ends meet—leading them to consider part-time work while receiving benefits.
The good news is that working part-time and keeping your benefits remains possible with proper planning.
Income limits that protect your benefits
Social Security lets you earn money while on SSDI, but you must stay under certain limits. In 2025, you can earn up to $1,620 each month without losing benefits. This limit is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount.
You can subtract work expenses related to your disability from what you earn. These may include:
- Special transportation costs
- Medical devices
- Prescription drugs needed to work
Tracking these deductions carefully helps maximize your allowable income and stay under the income limit.
The trial work period explained
The SSA offers a nine-month Trial Work Period that lets you try working again. During these months, you keep all your SSDI benefits no matter how much you earn. These months don’t have to be in a row.
For 2025, only months you make over $1,160 count toward your nine months. This program helps you test your ability to work without losing benefits immediately. After these nine months, you get another 36 months where you can still get benefits in any month you earn less than the SGA limit.
What you need to report to Social Security
Reporting your work activity prevents problems like having to pay back benefits later or facing penalties for not reporting. The SSA might stop your benefits suddenly if they find out you’ve been working without telling them. You should tell Social Security:
- When you start or stop working
- Changes to your duties, hours or pay
- Any work expenses related to your disability
- Self-employment details, including hours worked
- Income from all sources, including tips and bonuses
Even volunteer work sometimes counts as “work activity,” so always report any work you do.
Making informed choices about work and benefits
Working part-time while getting SSDI requires careful attention to rules and reporting requirements. You can add to your disability income with part-time work as long as you follow the guidelines. The programs exist to help you maintain financial stability while potentially transitioning back to the workforce.
Before taking any job, consider seeking guidance from an experienced attorney who understands these complex regulations. Good advice helps you make choices that support your finances without suddenly losing your Social Security disability benefits.