Last Updated: 12/19/2025
If you’re seriously considering a return to work either after recovery from or with a disability, your benefits are likely to be on your mind. You may be thinking about what will happen to your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you start working – then have a health-related setback.
Some questions you may be asking yourself are actually very common:
- Will I lose disability if I work part-time or full time?
- How many hours can I work if I am receiving disability benefits?
- What are the rules for working while receiving SSDI?
The good news is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) created the Ticket to Work (TTW) Program to help you keep disability benefits while working. With the support of this program and guidance from an authorized Employment Network (EN) like Allsup Employment Services (AES), you can take meaningful steps toward financial independence while protecting your benefits along the way.
What Is Ticket To Work?
Ticket to Work is a voluntary program designed by the SSA to help SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients transition back into the workforce. If you’re between the ages of 18 and 64 and currently receiving disability benefits, you’re eligible to participate – and it won’t cost you anything.
When you join TTW, you can engage with an Employment Network (EN) like AES or a state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency. You’ll work together to create an Individual Work Plan based on your goals, interests and abilities. This plan establishes milestones to achieve and outlines the support and services you’ll receive as you work toward employment.
AES offers personalized support tailored to your needs, including help with job searches, resume building, interview preparation and understanding how SSA work incentives can help you keep disability benefits while working.
Can I Keep Receiving SSDI While I Try Working?
Yes, you can. One of the most important work incentives is the Trial Work Period (TWP). The TWP gives you a safety net while you attempt working again. During this period, you can work and earn any amount of income for at least nine months over a rolling 60-month window and still receive your full SSDI check.
These nine months don’t have to be consecutive, and SSA only counts months where your earnings exceed a specific threshold ($1,210 per month in 2026) toward your TWP. You must report your work activity, but as long as you still meet SSA’s definition of disability, your cash benefits continue.
This gives you the freedom to explore whether work is right for you without the stress of immediately losing your benefits.
What Happens After the Trial Work Period Ends?
Once you complete your nine-month Trial Work Period, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). This is a 36-month safety net that provides conditional access to your SSDI cash benefits.
During the EPE, you will receive your SSDI check for any month in which your countable earnings fall below SSA’s Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level. For 2026, that threshold is $1,690 per month if you have sight, and $2,830 per month if you are blind.
If you earn above the SGA amount during a month, your benefits are suspended—but not terminated. If your earnings fall below SGA in a later month, your benefits resume automatically.
The first month you earn above SGA after the TWP also triggers a three-month grace period where you’ll still receive benefits. This built-in flexibility helps you manage the ups and downs of rejoining the workforce.
Will I Still Have Medicare Coverage?
Absolutely. Even if your SSDI payments eventually stop due to earnings, you won’t lose access to Medicare right away. Under Continued Medicare Coverage, you’re entitled to keep your Medicare for at least 93 months—more than seven years—after the end of your Trial Work Period.
This includes premium-free Medicare Part A, along with the option to continue paying for Part B and Part D. This extended access is critical if you depend on regular treatment, medications or specialty care to manage your condition while working.
Can I Restart My Benefits If I Have to Stop Working Again?
Yes, and this is where the Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) work incentive becomes a valuable protection. If your SSDI benefits ended because of your earnings, but your disability forces you to stop working again within five years, you can request EXR.
With EXR, you don’t have to file a new application or wait for a lengthy disability determination process. SSA can start your benefits again, offering what’s called “provisional payments” for up to six months while it reviews your case. If you are still medically eligible, your benefits will be fully reinstated.
This option gives you peace of mind that if your attempt to work doesn’t go as planned, you can return to the support you need without starting over from scratch.
Are There Still Disability Reviews While I’m Working?
When you assign your Ticket to the EN or VR agency of your choice and are actively participating in the program, SSA will not do Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR). This is a key protection that gives you breathing room to focus on your employment goals.
To keep this protection, you must demonstrate “timely progress” toward your Individual Work Plan—such as completing training, obtaining employment or increasing your earnings. If you stop making progress, you may become subject to CDRs again.
As long as you stay engaged in your plan and work with your EN, this safeguard helps you avoid a potentially stressful reevaluation of your disability status.
Can I Get Help With Work-Related Expenses Or A Career Plan?
Yes, there are several additional SSA work incentives designed to reduce the financial impact of returning to work. These programs can help you deduct certain expenses or shield income when determining your benefit eligibility.
Here is a short list of important incentives:
- Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): If you pay for items or services needed for you to work due to your disability, SSA may deduct those costs from your countable earnings. This could include assistive devices, special transportation or personal assistance.
- Blind Work Expenses (BWE): If you’re blind, SSA allows even more deductions for expenses that support your ability to work.
- Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): While used more frequently with SSI, PASS can also benefit SSDI recipients by allowing you to set aside income to pursue a specific work goal—like training or starting a small business—without affecting your eligibility.
On top of being able to keep disability benefits while working, these tools can help you shape your return to work in a way that fits your goals and unique needs.
How Does Allsup Employment Services Help Me Use These Protections?
Allsup Employment Services is an SSA-authorized EN with years of experience guiding people through the Ticket To Work Program. As your EN, AES assists you in the process of exploring, preparing for and securing employment—all while keeping your benefits protections in place.
You’ll receive personalized support that includes:
- Help understanding your work incentives and protecting your SSDI.
- Assistance with resume building, job listings and interview preparation.
- Guidance in identifying roles that match your abilities and needs.
- Ongoing counseling to track your progress and adjust your work plan.
