Working While Receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)

If you’re on SSDI, you can work part-time, but your income must stay below a certain threshold, known as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).

• In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if you're blind).
• If you earn more than this amount, the SSA may consider you not disabled and stop your benefits.

Trial Work Period (TWP)

SSDI offers a Trial Work Period, allowing you to test your ability to work for up to 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a 60-month window without losing your benefits.

• For 2025, a month counts as a TWP if you earn over $1,110.
• After 9 TWP months, you enter an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), lasting 36 months, where benefits can stop or resume depending on how much you earn each month.

Working While Receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

SSI has a different set of rules because it's a need-based program.

• The SSA excludes the first $85 of earned income (or $65 + $20 general exclusion).
• After that, SSI payments are reduced by 50 cents for every additional dollar you earn.
• You must still meet the resource and income limits to qualify.

So yes, you can work, but your SSI check may be reduced based on how much you earn.

Working While Receiving VA Disability Benefits

The VA disability system is different from SSA:

• VA disability compensation is not based on income, so you can work part-time or full-time, and it won’t affect your monthly compensation, unless you are rated 100% Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
• If you receive TDIU, you cannot engage in substantial employment, or you risk losing your benefit.

After age 55, reevaluations become less common.

Report All Work Activity

Always report any work activity or changes in income to the SSA or VA. Failing to do so could result in overpayments, benefit suspensions, or even fraud investigations.