Read the rest of our “Ticket To Work Incentives” series:
Returning to work with a disability often involves additional costs that other workers don't face. From specialized transportation to assistive technology, these necessary expenses can impact your financial situation when going back to work. For many Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, these extra costs create a concerning financial barrier to work.
The Social Security Administration has addressed this challenge through a powerful but often overlooked work incentive: Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs). This special provision recognizes that you shouldn't be penalized for expenses that are necessary for you to work with your disability.
Unlike other work incentives that operate on a timeline, IRWEs can be applied throughout your employment journey—whether you're just starting the Trial Work Period or have been working for years. By allowing you to deduct disability-related work expenses from your countable income, this incentive can help you maintain eligibility for benefits even when your gross earnings exceed standard thresholds.
Impairment-Related Work Expenses
Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) are costs you pay on items or services you need to work with your disability. These expenses are taken out of your gross earnings when determining if you've reached the SGA level. This incentive is available for recipients of SSDI and SSI.
Some examples of common IRWEs include:
- Specialized transportation costs to and from work.
- Assistive technology or modified equipment.
- Prescription medications needed to work.
- Personal care assistance during work hours.
- Medical devices required to complete job duties.
This powerful incentive can help extend your benefits even while earning above the threshold.
Example: You have paraplegia and spend $250 monthly on specialized transportation to reach your job. Your gross income of $1,750 exceeds the SGA threshold, but after deducting your IRWE, your countable income becomes $1,500—below the SGA level. This allows you to keep your SSDI benefits while working.
For SSI recipients, the SSA will leave out your IRWE from your income when determining your monthly payment (provided the expense fulfills other specific requirements).
To claim IRWEs, document all expenses with receipts and explanations of how each cost is needed to help you work with your disability. Submit this information to the SSA when reporting your work activity.
The Ticket To Work Program
The Ticket To Work program is a voluntary employment support program for SSDI and SSI recipients. It provides free employment services like career counseling, job placement, training, and benefits counseling through Employment Networks (ENs) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies.
- The program helps beneficiaries use these work incentives effectively while finding and keeping a job.
- Participation in TTW protects SSDI benefits while working and actively making progress toward financial independence.
- TTW participants may delay medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) while engaging in the program.
Learn more about each work incentive in our “Ticket To Work Incentives” series:
Returning To Work With Allsup Employment Services
Allsup Employment Services (AES) is an SSA-authorized EN for the Ticket To Work Program. We have over 10 years of experience helping thousands return to work successfully. We can help guide you through the SSDI work incentives on your return-to-work journey.
The Ticket To Work Program helps you protect your SSA disability benefits, and working with AES you can:
- Earn More. Make as much income as you choose during the Trial Work Period and protect your full SSDI benefits.
- Stress Less. Avoid medical disability reviews and the worry that comes with them.
- Keep Medicare. While working, you can keep Medicare for over seven years.
- Avoid Risk. If you stop working anytime within five years, your SSDI benefits can resume through a reinstatement process.
- Pay Nothing. As a Social Security-authorized Employment Network, our services are provided at no cost.
Choosing AES means working with an EN who’s focused on your goals and will work with you every step of the way.
Get started with no cost and no obligation.
You can reach Allsup Employment Services today by calling 866-540-5105 or requesting a call.
