SSDI at a Glance - What Happens When You Go to Work (SSDI eligible)
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SSDI work incentives can help you protect your cash and medical benefits while you work. When your benefits end because of your work and later you stop working, work incentives can make it easy to begin receiving benefits again. You should view all the SSDI employment supports as a total package to fully understand the multiple levels of support available to help you achieve your goal of greater economic independence.

Beginning the Process - The Trial Work Period (TWP)

Your TWP is a time when you can test your ability to work. During your TWP, we pay you disability payments no matter how much you earn

Your trail work period:

  • Lasts for 9 months.
  • The 9 months do not have to be in a row.
  • Must take place within 60 months (5 years).

The publication What's New in 2026? | The Red Book | SSA provides the monthly earnings amount that we use to determine if a month counts as a TWP month. This amount changes every year.  

The Next Step – The Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)

Your EPE starts the month after your TWP ends.

After your TWP ends, you get a 36-month EPE. During this period, we can pay you for any month your work and earnings are not at a substantial gainful activity (SGA) level.

  • We pay you for the first month that your work and earnings are SGA and for the next 2 months.
  • Your benefits will end if your work is SGA in any month after your 36-month EPE ends.

Your Safety Net-Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)

EXR is your safety net if your cash benefits end because of your work. If you make less money or must stop working because of your disability, we may be able to restart your benefits right away if all these requirements are met:

  • You stop working above the SGA level.
  • Your disability is the same as or related to your current disability.
  • You make your request within 5 years of when your benefits end.

What About Medicare

If your disability payments stop because of your work, the Medicare coverage you have can continue if your disability still meets our rules. It can continue for at least 93 months after your TWP ends.