If you are disabled and you collect Social Security benefits, those benefits may be an essential support of financial support and stability when you cannot work. It’s understandable, then, that you probably want to do all that you can to ensure that you continue to receive those benefits. At some point, however, you may wonder if you can return to work in some capacity or earn additional income in some way. If so, you may be concerned about whether doing so will affect your ongoing entitlement to benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the law together.
Return-to-Work Incentives
The good news for those interested in returning to work is that the Social Security Administration wants to encourage you to do so. As a result, the SSA offers a variety of incentives and resources to make the adjustment easier. A few of these include:
- Ticket-to-Work Program: The Ticket-to-Work Program is a program that the Social Security Administration offers to encourage those who are between the ages of 18 and 26 and want to return to work to do so. The program provides a wide variety of resources to assist with returning to work, including on-the-job training, assistance with helpful accommodations, vocational rehabilitation, job search services, and more. Participation in the program is free, and those who are participating can continue to receive their full monthly disability benefit while doing so. Those interested in learning more can visit www.choosework.ssa.gov or call the Ticket to Work helpline at 1–866–968–7842.
- Trial Work Period: The trial work period is, as it sounds, an opportunity to try to return to work without losing access to disability benefits. The trial work period is intended to help disabled individuals adjust to returning to work for a certain period while continuing to receive the full amount of their disability benefits on a regular schedule. The trial work period lasts for nine months, although the nine months do not need to be a consecutive nine months of work. Instead, the employee can stretch the nine months out over a five-year period as they attempt to find which type of employment might be the best fit. After the trial work period ends, a transition to full-time work is an option, if possible.
While these are two of the most popular return-to-work incentives, returning to work may also have many other benefits. Consulting with an attorney regarding your particular circumstances and what might be the best path forward for your situation is always advised.
Are There Earning Limits?
While the Social Security Administration does want to encourage disabled individuals to attempt to return to work, it’s important to realize that certain limits apply to how much someone can earn before benefits will eventually end. This limit is known as the “substantial gainful activity” limit, or SGA limit for short. As a general rule, in order to continue to be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity. A person who earns more than a certain monthly amount (after subtracting any impairment-related work expenses) is usually considered to be engaging in substantial gainful activity.
The Social Security Administration usually adjusts the SGA limit each year to reflect a number of economic factors, including the changing cost of living. In 2025, the SGA limit is $1620 per month for a disabled individual who is not blind and $2700 per month for a blind person.
What Happens If the Disability Returns?
If you attempt to return to work and your disability returns or worsens to the extent that you can no longer continue to do so, you shouldn’t panic. Typically, if your disability worsens while you are still attempting the trial work period, you will resume receiving benefits on your normal schedule in the usual amount. If your trial work period has ended and you have been working for an extended amount of time, you may need to file a new claim for disability benefits. Ultimately, the best decision is to consult an attorney who knows and understands the law and can give personalized advice based on your circumstances. At Muse Disability, we’re here for you.
MUSE DISABILITY – HERE FOR YOU
If you are disabled and want to return to work, you may still have many questions. That’s understandable. At Muse Disability, we’re here to help you find the answers. We know and understand the law and will help you find the best path forward for your situation. Wherever you find yourself in the process, we’re here for you. We’ll always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf and keep you informed and involved in your case each step of the way. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.