Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part-Time? (2025)

Understanding SSDI

People who have suffered severe injuries in accidents or are battling medical conditions that make working impossible and who have enough work history might be able to receive SSDI benefits. The amount you receive will depend on how many years you’ve worked and how much you earned.

People can apply for SSDI quickly and easily through the government portal by providing the requested information. Once you’re approved to receive benefits, you must report changes to your income, work, and personal information in a timely manner to avoid problems.

Can You Work Part-Time on Disability?

In the majority of instances, you can work part-time while on disability. What all Social Security Disability lawyers want you to remember, however, is that you must keep your earnings below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) parameters.

For blind individuals, the income threshold is $2,700 a month, while those who are not blind may only have a total income of $1,620 a month. The SGA guidelines allow you to start testing your ability to work once again without costing you your benefits. You’re allowed up to three years of a trial work period.

You may also be able to deduct some work expenses from your monthly income. These include:

• Counseling services
• Job or personal coaching assistance
• Prescription medication costs
• Transportation
• Assistive medical devices

The government also offers work incentive programs to help you through the transition back to work. One option, for example, is the Trial Work Period (TWP) program. With this option, you can work up to nine months without an earning limit. TWP lets you get a better sense of how much you can work without putting your benefits at risk.

Other similar programs the government offers include the Ticket to Work, Impairment-Related Work Expenses, and Extended Period of Eligibility programs. Each provides a number of benefits and can help you understand whether you’re well enough to return to full-time work.

How to Preserve Your Disability Benefits While Working

Now that you have an idea of what happens if you work while on disability, it’s important to know how you can ensure you preserve the benefits while you do so. Vitally, you must offer significant information on all of the hours you work and the income you receive.

If your pay rate changes or you start working longer hours, you must notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) immediately. Not doing so could put your benefits at risk.

But what if you receive additional income, such as a personal injury settlement? In most cases, you’re not required to report any of these settlements if you receive SSDI, but it can be a good idea to consult with an attorney. This might be particularly crucial if your disability is the result of a workplace injury and you receive a workers’ comp settlement.

When You Should Hire an SSDI Attorney

Although having an attorney isn’t required to file for disability benefits, it can be extremely helpful to have representation. A lawyer can assist you in understanding how to apply for part-time disability benefits so that you can start working again.

Perhaps most importantly, an experienced lawyer can help you if you have been denied disability benefits or if they have been stopped because the SSA states that you have surpassed your allowed income.

In these cases, you’ll need guidance on how to tackle an appeal and how to present the necessary evidence that shows you deserve to have your benefits reinstated.

How much does a lawyer cost for these cases? Typically, SSDI lawyers don’t charge any upfront fees but, instead, receive a percentage of the benefits you receive if you win your appeal.

Choosing Trusted Legal Counsel

If you have suffered an injury or have developed a medical condition that allows you to apply for SSDI, it can be devastating to face issues with your benefits. Although you’re allowed to work part-time on disability, it’s possible for problems to arise if paperwork is not filed correctly or if the SSA makes a mistake while evaluating your file.

If you’re facing benefit denials, you must hire a lawyer to represent you. With experienced attorneys by your side, you have a better chance of clearly presenting your case and receiving the benefits you deserve.

At ConsumerShield, we can connect you with local lawyers who can guide you through any difficulties you may face when applying for or receiving disability benefits. Contact our team to learn more about how we can help.