Ticket To Work Incentives: The Trial Work Period

Read the rest of our "Ticket To Work Incentives" series:

• Returning To Employment With Ticket To Work Incentives
• Trial Work Period (TWP)
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
• Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)
• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)
• Medicare Continuation

Are you receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits but thinking about returning to work? Many recipients worry that earning an income will immediately terminate their benefits. The concern is understandable, as you do not want to be vulnerable if your health deteriorates or if your work attempt doesn't succeed. This common fear prevents countless people from exploring employment opportunities that could lead to more financial independence and stability.

The good news is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) understands these concerns. That's why they created the Trial Work Period (TWP) as part of the Ticket To Work Program—a specially designed incentive that provides a safety net for SSDI recipients who want to test their ability to work without risking their benefits.

The Trial Work Period offers a unique opportunity to ease back into employment at your own pace, allowing you to discover what accommodations you might need, build confidence and potentially increase your income. As you'll discover in this article, this powerful work incentive can be the first step on your journey toward greater financial independence while maintaining crucial protections.

The Trial Work Period

The Trial Work Period (TWP) is for recipients of SSDI, and your first protection when returning to work. This incentive allows you to test your ability to work for nine months while receiving your full benefits, no matter how much you earn. These nine months can be spread out (not needing to be in a row) and occur within a rolling 60-month window.

In 2025, any month where you earn over $1,160 counts as a TWP month. For self-employment, a month counts if you work more than 80 hours or earn over the threshold. Think of the TWP as a risk-free testing ground where you can try working without putting your benefits at risk.

Example: After receiving SSDI for three years due to severe rheumatoid arthritis, you begin a part-time position as a virtual customer service representative. Working 20 hours weekly, you earn $1,300 per month—above the TWP threshold but well within your physical capabilities. During your nine-month TWP, you keep your full SSDI payment while testing your stamina and developing workplace accommodations that manage your symptoms.

Report Work To Avoid Overpayments

During your TWP, you must report your work activity to the SSA. Keep detailed records of your start dates, earnings and hours worked. Even if your earnings fall below the threshold, reporting work activity prevents potential overpayments that could create financial hardship later.

Allsup Employment Services helps you track and understand how to report your earnings while you report directly to the SSA.

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 in our "Ticket To Work Incentives" series:

• Returning To Employment With Ticket To Work Incentives
• Trial Work Period (TWP)
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
• Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)
• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)
• Medicare Continuation

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.