SSDI only Employment Supports

Trial Work Period (TWP) (SSDI eligible)

How does the TWP help you?	The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During your TWP, you will receive full Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. You will receive them regardless of how high your earnings might be if you report your work activity, and you have a disabling impairment.
When does the TWP start?	Your TWP starts when you begin working and performing “services.” We consider your work to be services for the TWP if your gross earnings are above the monthly threshold of $1,210 in 2026. We also consider your work to be services for the TWP if you work more than 80 hours in self-employment in a month. Your TWP cannot begin until the 1^st month you are entitled to SSDI benefits, or the month you file for benefits, whichever is later.
What happens when you complete your TWP?	After you complete your TWP, you begin your Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During the EPE, we evaluate your work and earnings to decide if you can work at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level.
What else do you need to know about the TWP?	You are not eligible for disability benefits or a TWP if you work at the SGA level within 12 months of the start of your impairment(s) and before we approve your claim for disability benefits. This is because your impairment does not meet our definition of disability. We can consider medical evidence that might demonstrate your medical recovery at any time. Therefore, it is possible for your benefits to stop due to your medical recovery before the end of your TWP. We will not conduct a continuing disability review if you are participating in the Ticket to Work program, and you are actively working on your employment goal with your Ticket provider. Unsuccessful Work Attempts do not apply during the TWP. Usually, we adjust the dollar amount of TWP “services” each year based on the national average wage index.
Does the TWP apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?	No. A TWP does not apply to the SSI program.

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) (SSDI eligible)

What is the EPE?	The EPE begins the month after the Trial Work Period (TWP) ends, even if you are not working that month. The first 36 months of the EPE is the re-entitlement period.
How does the EPE help you?	During the 36-month re-entitlement period, you get benefits for all months your earnings or work activities are below the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level if you continue to have a disabling impairment. We suspend cash benefits for months your earnings are over the SGA level. If your earnings fall below the SGA level in the re-entitlement period, we can start your benefits again. (This is a different rule from Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) that we described earlier.)
What happens the first time you work above SGA?	The first time that you work above SGA in the EPE, we will decide that you no longer meet the requirements for disability due to work, and we say that your disability "ceased”. We will pay benefits for the month your disability ceased and the following 2 months. We call this the grace period. If your earnings fall below SGA and you are still in the 36-month re-entitlement period, we can restart your benefits without a new application.
Can you continue to receive benefits after the 36-month re-entitlement period ends?	If you are not working above SGA and are eligible for a benefit payment for the 37th month of the EPE, you will continue to receive benefits until you work a month at the SGA level or medically recover.
What happens if you work after the re-entitlement period ends?	Your benefits will end if you work above SGA after the 36-month re-entitlement period. However you may be able to start your benefits again if you stop work within the next 5 years (see EXR on EXPEDITED REINSTATEMENT.)
Do you get an EPE under Supplemental Security Income?	No. The EPE applies only to people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance cash benefits.

Extended Medicare Coverage (SSDI eligible)

What is Extended Medicare Coverage?	Most individuals with disabilities who are working will continue to receive Medicare coverage for at least 93 consecutive months (7 years and 9 months) following the 9-month Trial Work Period (TWP). This coverage includes Hospital Insurance (Part A), which has no premium, as well as Supplemental Medical Insurance (Part B) and Prescription Drug coverage (Part D, if the individual is enrolled in these parts. While cash benefits may stop due to work activity, you can be assured that your health insurance coverage will continue during this period.
When does this start?	The 93 months start the month after the last month of your TWP.
How do you qualify?	You must already have Medicare, your cash benefits must have stopped because of work above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level, and you must continue to have a disabling impairment.

Medicare Buy-In for People with Disabilities Who Work (SSDI eligible)

Can you buy Medicare coverage?	Yes. Once your premium-free Extended Medicare coverage ends because of work, you have the option to buy continued Medicare coverage through the Medicare Buy-In program, provided you still have a disability. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for state assistance to help cover these costs through various Medicare Savings Programs. Eligibility for this assistance is determined by your state Health and Human Services agency.
Who is eligible to buy Medicare coverage?	You are eligible to buy Medicare coverage if: You are not yet age 65; You continue to have a disability; and Your Medicare stopped due to work.
What kind of Medicare coverage can you buy?	Premium Hospital Insurance (Part A) is available at the same monthly cost that uninsured eligible retired beneficiaries pay. If you have less than 30 quarters of coverage, the premium is $565 in 2026. However, you may qualify for a reduction in this premium (see below). Premium Supplementary Medical Insurance (Part B) is available at $202.90 per month in 2026 (or higher depending on your income). Social Security will tell you the exact amount you will pay for Part B in 2026. For more information, see link for “How much does Part B cost?”: www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs. You can buy Part A separately without Part B. You cannot buy Part B unless you also buy Part A. Premium Prescription Drug coverage (Part D) is also available.
Do you qualify for a reduction in your monthly Part A premium?	You may qualify for a 45% reduction in the monthly amount of your premium for Part A. You must meet one of the requirements below to qualify for the reduced premium: You must have 30 or more quarters of coverage on your earnings record. You have been married for at least 1 year to a worker with 30 or more quarters of coverage. You were married for at least 1 year to a deceased worker with 30 or more quarters of coverage. You are divorced, after at least 10 years of marriage, from a worker who had 30 or more quarters of coverage at the time the divorce became final.
When can you enroll?	You may enroll: During your initial enrollment period (the month you are notified about the end of your premium-free health insurance and the following 7 months). During the annual general enrollment period (January 1 through March 31 of each year). During a special enrollment period. You can enroll at any time while you are working, covered under an employer group health plan, and still have a disability. You can also enroll during the 8-month period that begins with the first full month after your employment or group health plan coverage ends, whichever occurs first. For Part D, you may enroll (or change plans) during the annual coordinated election period (October 15 through December 7 of each year). The effective date for the enrollment is January 1 of the upcoming year. There also will be special enrollment periods for some situations.
How does it work with an employer’s group health plan?	Generally, if you purchase Part A and maintain your employer’s group health plan, Medicare will be your primary payer if you are working. Your group health plan would become a secondary payer.
When does the state pay premiums for Medicare?	States are required to pay Part A premiums for some working people with disabilities. You qualify if you meet these 4 requirements: You are eligible to enroll in Medicare Part A for people with disabilities who work. You meet certain income and resource standards. You apply for assistance with your state Medicaid agency. You re ineligible for Medicaid on any other basis. Note People with disabilities who work should contact their state health and human services agency for information. More information about state help with Medicare Part A premiums is provided later in this publication.

SSDI at a Glance - What Happens When You Go to Work (SSDI eligible)

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.

Red Book

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