Many people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) want to test their ability to work, but worry that earning money will automatically cause them to lose their benefits. This fear is common, but it is often based on misunderstanding SSA rules.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has work incentives that allow you to earn income, test your ability to work, and gradually return to employment without immediately losing SSDI benefits. The key is understanding how SSA applies the Trial Work Period and Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) in 2026.
How Much Can I Earn in 2026 and Keep My SSDI?
How much you can earn in 2026 depends on which phase of SSA’s work rules you are currently in.
- During the Trial Work Period (TWP), you can earn any amount and still receive full SSDI benefits.
- After the Trial Work Period ends, SSA uses Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to decide whether your benefits continue.
Understanding the difference between these two rules is critical.
SSA Trial Work Period Definition
The SSA Trial Work Period (TWP) allows SSDI beneficiaries to test their ability to work without losing benefits, regardless of how much they earn.
2026 Trial Work Period Monthly Amount
In 2026, SSA counts a month as a Trial Work Period month if you earn $1,210 or more in gross wages. Note that this amount is different than the SGA amounts listed below.
Here are some key points about the Trial Work Period:
- You receive up to 9 Trial Work Period months
- The months do not need to be consecutive
- The 9 allotted trial work period months are in any rolling 60 month (5-year) period
- Your SSDI benefits continue in full during trial work period months
- There is no cap on earnings during the Trial Work Period
What Is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is the earnings level SSA uses after the Trial Work Period to determine whether you are still considered disabled under SSA rules.
If your earnings exceed the SGA limit, SSA may suspend or stop SSDI benefits, depending on the circumstances.
How SGA Is Different From the Trial Work Period
Rule | Trial Work Period | Substantial Gainful Activity (After the Trial Work Period Ends) |
When it applies | First return to work | After Trial Work Period ends |
Earnings limit | No limit | Monthly SGA threshold |
SSDI payments | Continue regardless of earnings | Paid only if earnings are below SGA |
Duration | Up to 9 months | Ongoing evaluation |
SGA limits are adjusted annually. In 2026, the monthly SGA amount is $1,690 for non-blind individuals.
What Happens After the Trial Work Period?
Once you use all 9 Trial Work Period months, you move into the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE).
Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
The Extended Period of Eligibility:
- Lasts 36 consecutive months after the trial work period ends.
- Reinstates SSDI the month after the month the earnings are below SGA
- Allows benefits to restart if earnings drop below SGA again
Ways to Earn More Without Losing SSDI
SSA offers several work incentives that can help reduce countable income and protect benefits.
Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)
Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) are disability-related costs required for you to work. SSA deducts approved IRWEs from your earnings when evaluating SGA.
Examples include:
- Specialized transportation
- Assistive devices
- Attendant care needed for work
- Service animals
Proper documentation is essential when claiming IRWEs.
Employer Subsidies and Special Conditions
SSA may exclude income that does not reflect your true productivity.
Examples include:
- Employer wage subsidies
- Reduced productivity accommodations
- Sheltered or supported employment
Only the value of your actual work may be counted toward SGA.
Reporting Earnings to the Social Security Administration
Accurate reporting of work activity is required to maintain SSDI benefits.
Why Reporting Is Important
Failure to report earnings can result in:
- Overpayments
- Repayment obligations
- Benefit suspension or termination
How to Report Work Activity
You can report earnings by:
- Contacting your local SSA office
- Mailing copies of pay stubs
- Using your my Social Security account when available
Always keep records of reported earnings.
Does Working Affect Medicare Coverage?
Most SSDI beneficiaries retain Medicare coverage even if cash SSDI benefits stop due to work.
Medicare Continuation for Working SSDI Beneficiaries
- Medicare usually continues for at least 93 months after the Trial Work Period
- Part A often remains premium-free
- Part B continues with monthly premiums
- Part A often remains premium-free
This extended coverage provides critical health insurance protection while working.
FAQs
During the Trial Work Period, you can earn any amount and still receive SSDI. In 2026, a month counts as a Trial Work Period month if you earn $1,210 or more. If you earn less than $1,210, this does not count as one of your nine allotted Trial Work Period months.
The Trial Work Period lets you test working with no earnings limit, while SGA is the income threshold SSA uses after the Trial Work Period to decide whether SSDI benefits continue.
You receive up to nine Trial Work Period months, and they do not need to be consecutive.
Your SSDI benefits may stop for that month, but they can restart if your earnings drop below SGA during the Extended Period of Eligibility.
No. Most SSDI beneficiaries keep Medicare coverage for at least 93 months after the Trial Work Period, even if SSDI payments stop due to work.
