Many Idaho residents receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) wonder if they can return to work without losing their benefits. The good news is: yes, you can work while receiving SSDI—as long as you follow the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) rules. These rules are designed to support you in testing your ability to work without risking your entire benefit immediately.
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Understanding the SSA’s Work Incentives
The SSA offers programs that allow SSDI recipients to return to work gradually. These programs include:
Trial Work Period (TWP)
During the Trial Work Period, you can work and earn as much as you want for up to 9 months within a rolling 60-month period. As long as your work is reported, your SSDI benefits will continue during these months, no matter how high your earnings are.
A month counts as a TWP month if you earn above a certain threshold (for 2025, it’s $1,160 per month). Once you use up your 9 TWP months, you move into the next phase.
Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
After your Trial Work Period, you enter a 36-month window called the Extended Period of Eligibility. During this time, your SSDI benefits will continue in any month your earnings stay below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit.
For 2025:
- The SGA limit for non-blind individuals is $1,620 per month
- The SGA limit for blind individuals is $2,700 per month
If you earn more than the SGA limit during this period, your benefits may be suspended—but not permanently terminated.
What Happens If I Go Over the Earnings Limit?
If you consistently earn more than the SGA threshold after your Trial Work and Extended Periods, the SSA may decide you are no longer disabled under their rules and stop your SSDI benefits. However:
- You won’t owe back pay as long as you reported your income correctly
- You may qualify for Expedited Reinstatement if you have to stop working again within 5 years due to your disability
What Income Counts Toward the Limit?
The SSA looks at gross monthly earned income from employment or self-employment. Some deductions are allowed, such as:
- Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)
- Employer subsidies or special accommodations
- Certain business-related expenses if self-employed
It's important to understand what counts so you can manage your work activity carefully.
Reporting Work Activity to the SSA
Whether you work full-time or part-time, you must report:
- The start and stop dates of your job
- Your hours and wages
- Any changes in job duties or pay
You can report your work activity online, by phone, or by visiting your local SSA office in Idaho.
How Hogan Smith Can Help
At Hogan Smith, we help Idaho residents understand how working affects their SSDI benefits. Our team can:
- Explain how the Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility apply to you
- Help you calculate your earnings and identify allowed deductions
- Communicate with the SSA to ensure your income is properly reported
- Protect your benefits while supporting your goal to return to work
Contact Hogan Smith Today
If you’re thinking about returning to work while receiving SSDI in Idaho, contact Hogan Smith for a free consultation. We’ll help you work legally, protect your benefits, and move forward with confidence.
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