Table of Contents

A Guide To Work Incentives and Employment Supports for People Who Have a Disability Under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Programs

Introducing the Red Book

  • Purpose of the Red Book
  • Purpose of Employment Supports and Work Incentives
  • Not Covered in Red Book

What's New In 2026?

  • Automatic Adjustments Effective January 1, 2026

Contacting Us

  • How to Reach Social Security
  • my Social Security

How Do We Define Disability?

  • Our Definition of Disability
  • What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
  • How Do We Evaluate Your Activity for SGA Purposes?
  • What If You Are Self-employed?

Overview of our Disability Programs

  • Social Security Disability Insurance Program (SSDI)
  • Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI)
  • When You Receive Both SSDI and SSI
  • Comparison of the SSDI and SSI Disability Programs

Returning to Work

  • What Are Your Responsibilities When You Return To Work?
  • When Will We Review Your Disability?
  • When Will Your Benefits Stop?

How Do Work Incentives Help?

  • SSDI Work Incentives
  • SSI Work Incentives
  • List of Work Incentives

SSDI and SSI Work Incentives

  • Subsidy and Special Conditions (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA) (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Examples of Deductible and Non-Deductible IRWE (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Who Can Help You Set Up a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)? (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Examples of a PASS (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Continued Payment under Vocational Rehabilitation or Similar Program (Section 301) (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Unincurred Business Expenses (Self-Employment) (SSDI and SSI eligible)

SSDI Only Employment Supports

  • Trial Work Period (TWP) (SSDI eligible)
  • Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) (SSDI eligible)
  • Extended Medicare Coverage (SSDI eligible)
  • Medicare Buy-In for People with Disabilities Who Work (SSDI eligible)
  • SSDI at a Glance - What Happens When You Go to Work (SSDI eligible)

SSI Only Work Incentives

  • Earned Income Exclusion (SSI eligible)
  • Examples of the Earned Income Exclusion (SSI eligible)
  • Student Earned Income Exclusion (SSI eligible)
  • Reinstating SSI Eligibility Without a New Application (SSI eligible)
  • Special Benefits If You Are Eligible Under 1619 and Enter a Medical Facility (SSI eligible)
  • Medicaid While Working– Section 1619(b) (SSI eligible)
  • Resource Exclusions (SSI eligible)

Special Rules for People Who Are Blind

  • How We Apply Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Under SSDI to People Who Are Blind
  • Blind Work Expenses (BWE) (SSI eligible)
  • Comparison of Monthly SSI Payment With BWE Versus IRWE
  • Accommodations for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Additional Help with Health Care for People with Disabilities

  • Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities
  • Help with Medicare Part A Premiums
  • Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Example of Concurrent Benefits with Work Incentives

  • Summary of Example with Concurrent Benefits

Employment Supports

  • Ticket to Work (SSDI and SSI eligible)
  • Federal Employment for People with Disabilities
  • Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
  • American Job Centers

What Assistance Is Available for Work Incentives and Employment Supports

  • Area Work Incentives Coordinator (AWIC)
  • Benefits Planning Query (BPQY)
  • Employment Network and State Vocational Rehabilitation Providers
  • Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)
  • Work Incentive Liaison (WIL)
  • Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Providers
  • Work Incentives Seminar Events (WISE)

Resources to Assist Youth with the Transition to a Successful Adulthood

Glossary