If you’re receiving disability benefits, understanding the rules around work hours can be confusing. The amount you can work while still maintaining your benefits largely depends on the disability benefits you are receiving and the circumstances of your work. Mostly, the number of hours you work does not count as much as the monthly income you receive while on disability.
If you’re struggling with your application or unsure about your options while on SSDI, and like to know how many hours can you work if you are on disability, don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a Social Security disability attorney. An Ohio SSDI lawyer will initially conduct a complimentary evaluation of your case to better understand your situation and determine your appropriate legal stance.
SSDI is a program designed for those who worked for a sufficient period while paying Social Security taxes. The program offers benefits to those unable to work due to disability. If you’re on SSDI, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has established clear guidelines regarding how much you can work while continuing to receive benefits.
A critical concept for SSDI recipients is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). SGA refers to a certain level of work activity and earnings that indicates a person can engage in competitive employment. For 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals. If you earn more than these amounts, the SSA may determine that you are no longer disabled, and your benefits could be discontinued.
Importantly, the SSA offers a Trial Work Period (TWP) that allows you to test your ability to work without immediately losing your SSDI benefits. During this period, you can work and earn any amount without affecting your benefits as long as you report your earnings to the SSA. The TWP is a total of 9 months within a rolling 60-month period. Once the TWP ends, your work activity will be evaluated based on SGA limits.
The number of hours you work does not matter when working for someone – under formal employment. The SSA focuses on the amount of income you earn rather than the specific number of hours worked. However, the hours you work can indirectly affect your benefits if they lead to earnings that exceed the SGA threshold.
For example, if you work part-time but earn above the SGA limit, you could lose your SSDI benefits for that particular month. On the other hand, if you work fewer hours and stay below the SGA threshold, you will continue to receive benefits. Therefore, while working hours are not a key factor, it’s important to monitor both your work hours and earnings to ensure you do not exceed the limits set by the SSA.
There isn’t a strict limit on the number of hours you can work while on disability, but your earnings must stay within the allowed SGA limits if you want to keep receiving SSDI benefits.
Here’s how the rules typically work:
If you earn less than $1,550 per month (or $2,590 for blind individuals), you can work as many hours as you want without losing your benefits. However, if your hours or responsibilities suggest that you are capable of SGA, the SSA may review your case to determine if you are still eligible for benefits.
During your TWP, you can work without worrying about the SGA limit. You can work full-time or part-time, and you will enjoy the SSDI benefits as long as you report your earnings. The TWP is designed to encourage recipients to return to work without the fear of losing benefits immediately.
After the TWP, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility, which lasts for 36 months. During this time, you can still receive benefits for any month your earnings fall below the SGA level. If your earnings go over the SGA limit, your benefits will be suspended but not terminated. If your earnings go under the SGA limit again, your benefits can be reinstated without needing to reapply.
Note that the hours you work could be a factor if you’re a business leader or a self-employed individual.
The Social Security Administration permits a maximum of 45 hours of work per month, which averages to about 10 hours per week. Additionally, the SSA will consider if you are the sole worker for your business. In this case, you also cannot exceed the SGA limit or work excessive hours. If you do, it will be hard to prove that you’re disabled.
Understanding the rules while working with disability benefits is essential to avoid the loss of benefits. Here are some guidelines from Social Security Disability lawyers:
You must report any changes in your work activity to the SSA, including starting or stopping work, changes in duties, hours worked, or pay rate. If you fail to report these changes, there could be overpayments, which you may have to repay, and could lead to the loss of your benefits.
If you want to continue receiving SSDI benefits, ensure your earnings do not exceed the SGA limit. Even if you work a few hours, your total monthly earnings are what determine your eligibility for benefits.
The SSA offers various work incentives to encourage people on disability to return to work. These include the Trial Work Period, Extended Period of Eligibility, and Ticket to Work program, which provides free employment support services.
Even if you’re working, it’s important to continue receiving medical treatment and keeping records. The SSA may review your medical condition to ensure that you still qualify for benefits. Regular documentation of your condition helps support your claim.
Besides SSDI, other disability benefits like SSI have different rules. For SSI, your benefits are reduced based on your income, and there’s a maximum amount you can earn before losing benefits. Your SSDI attorney can help you understand these distinctions in order to effectively manage your finances while working.
You can receive Social Security disability benefits indefinitely, provided you continue to remain eligible. However, it is possible to lose your social security benefits for various reasons related to your level of earnings, medical improvement/recovery, or transition to a different type of social security benefits, among others.
If you consistently earn more than the SGA limit, your SSDI benefits will likely be terminated. The SSA will assume that your ability to work at this level indicates you no longer need disability benefits.
The SSA will review your status after your TWP and EPE. If they determine that you are earning above the “substantial earnings” level, your SSDI benefits will be terminated. However, if your earnings drop below the SGA limit within five years, you may qualify for expedited reinstatement of benefits without a new application.
If the SSA finds out that your medical condition has improved and you are no longer considered disabled, your benefits may be discontinued. This typically happens during a Continuing Disability Review (CDR), which occurs once every three to seven years, depending on your disability. In this case, the SSA re-evaluates your medical condition.
Most people who’ve worked can collect Social Security benefits upon reaching retirement age. Social Security disability recipients typically transition to retirement benefits when they age out, as it’s rare to qualify for both simultaneously.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) usually provides lower benefits than Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). However, upon reaching retirement age, those transitioning from SSDI to SSI typically receive the same monthly benefits.
As can be seen, there isn’t a simple answer to the question, “How many hours can you work if you are on disability?” You don’t want to risk losing the benefits you and your family rely on due to uninformed actions. Therefore, it is wise to reach out to a Social Security disability lawyer who can be of assistance in several ways:
Getting your SSDI application right the first time is very important. An incorrect application can lead to unnecessary delays or even denial of benefits. SSDI attorneys have the knowledge to ensure that your application is thorough and accurate.
Your lawyer will help determine your onset date of disability, gather all necessary medical records, and include compelling evidence that aligns with the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) criteria. They understand what Social Security is looking for in terms of evidence, which means they can present your case in the best possible light.
An SSDI attorney will explain your rights and obligations under the SSDI program. They can clarify how much you can work and earn while keeping your benefits and help you avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your eligibility.
If your initial SSDI application is denied, your attorney will explain the reasons for the denial and work with you to address any shortcomings in your original application.
During the appeal, your attorney can gather additional evidence, obtain professional medical opinions, and submit a detailed statement to the Administrative Law Judge. They will also prepare you for the hearing so you can present your case effectively.
Testifying at an SSDI hearing can be intimidating. However, your attorney will coach you on how to give effective testimony. He will guide you on how to clearly explain the extent of your disability and its impact on your ability to work. They may also cross-examine expert witnesses to further substantiate your claim.
Don’t delay seeking an experienced Ohio SSDI attorney for your SSDI claim. By contacting a skilled SSDI attorney at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz, you can take the necessary steps to protect your SSDI rights and secure the benefits you need to support yourself. Call today (937) 222.2222.
Before establishing Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A., Doug Mann, a top Ohio Injury Attorney served as a bodily injury claims adjuster at a major insurance firm. With over 40+ years of experience, Doug’s background has proven invaluable in securing maximum cash settlements for his clients swiftly. Since leaving the insurance industry, Doug has devoted his entire legal career to assisting injured clients during their times of greatest need.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Doug Mann who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury attorney.
Keep up to Date with Our Newest Firm Updates
The impact of any type of accident can potentially be catastrophic. However, some are particularly dangerous and can lead to costly medical treatments and lifetime adjustments. Accidents involving high speeds […]
Riding in the back of a truck might seem like fun, especially for young kids. It might also be convenient if you have one truck and several passengers. However, this […]
If you’re receiving disability benefits, understanding the rules around work hours can be confusing. The amount you can work while still maintaining your benefits largely depends on the disability benefits […]
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 1.937.222.2222
