How much can someone on social security disability earn

Yes, you can work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, but only within strict limits. Payments will stop if you are engaged in what Social Security calls “substantial gainful activity.” SGA, as it’s known, is defined in 2022 as earning more than $1,350 a month (or $2,260 if you are blind). 

If your income exceeds those caps, you cannot collect disability benefits, unless you are taking part in one of Social Security’s "work incentives" — programs and trial periods aimed at helping SSDI recipients transition back into the workforce without sacrificing their benefits. Some work incentives are also available to recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is administered by Social Security and also provides benefits to people with disabilities.

The major such program is Ticket to Work, which offers people on SSDI and SSI job training, work experiences and other services to help them become self-supporting. As do other work incentives, Ticket to Work temporarily waives the SGA earnings limits, so you continue collecting your disability benefits while you engage in trial work with employers who have signed up to participate. If you get a job through the program, you go off disability benefits. The payments will resume if you have to stop working because your medical condition worsens.

SSDI beneficiaries are also allowed a trial period of up to nine months to test their ability to work. The trial months can be spread out over five years, and during these months you can get your full benefit regardless of your earnings. You’ll find more information on these and other work incentives in the Social Security publication "Working While Disabled — How We Can Help."

Keep in mind

  • The SGA limits are adjusted annually based on national changes in average wages. 
  • Some work incentives are specific either to SSDI or SSI, while others, like Ticket to Work, are available to both types of beneficiary.

Updated December 23, 2021

How much can someone on social security disability earn

Many people who qualify for Social Security Disability benefits continue to work for a variety of reasons. You might enjoy your work, wish to supplement your disability income as much as allowable, or wish to gradually return to work to keep your skills up to date for an eventual return to full-time employment.

Whatever your reason for working, you might be concerned about how much you can make while on disability without putting your disability benefits at risk. The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows trial work periods and imposes income limits that define how much you can earn while still receiving the benefits you are entitled to collect.

The SSA uses more than your income to determine your employment earnings limitations. They also calculate and deduct job-related expenses that come with your employment.

You can hire a lawyer to represent you throughout the benefits application or appeals process. They may help you determine your earning capacity and its effect on your monthly benefits.

In This Article

How Much Can You Earn While on Disability?

The SSA provides recipients and potential recipients with an online benefits calculator. With the SSDI eligibility calculator, you can estimate the amount of current and future monthly benefits you might be able to receive.

SSA guidelines may also allow you to work on a trial basis to determine your ability to return to gainful employment. If you earn more than $1,350 per month in 2022, the SSA considers this substantial income. This is the amount you can earn before jeopardizing your disability benefits. If you receive disability due to blindness, your earnings cap is $2,260 in 2022.

Called substantial gainful activity (SGA), these amounts also take your work expenses into account. It also increases most years and allows you to take deductions prior to making calculations that determine your income. For example, you may be able to take the following deductions:

  • Prescription copayments
  • Necessary counseling services
  • Transportation to and from work
  • Necessary personal attendants
  • Wheelchair or other assistive devices

These and other allowable deductions can mean the income you earn from gainful employment lets you enjoy the benefits of working while also receiving the disability benefits.

You can review your benefits, employment income, and allowable deductions with your lawyer, who can help ensure your willingness to work does not put your benefits at risk.

For a legal consultation, call 828.286.3866

Types of Earnings That Impact Your SSD Benefits 

It’s important to consider the types of income that qualifies as substantial gainful activity for the SSA. Generally, the agency only looks at “earned” income. Earned income includes the money you make while working as a:

  • Self-employed worker
  • Contractor
  • Employee 

All the funds earned in these positions apply towards your monthly limit for SSD benefits. However, you may earn income outside of these more traditional methods. For example, you may earn money by:

  • Buying rental properties 
  • Selling your assets 
  • Investing in the stock market

How many assets you can have and still claim Disability depends on whether you are filing for SSI or SSDI. 

Counting Income and the SSI Program 

The SSA also administers the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. This program provides funding for individuals who are over the age of retirement, blind, or disabled if they have limited resources and income. 

The SSI program provides compensation even if you never worked or paid into the Social Security system. While it aligns with SSD in many ways, the SSA uses different regulations on allowable earnings for this program. 

Under the SSI program, you may earn up to $1,600 a month and still receive some benefits. However, if you earn anything over $65 a month, the SSA starts to reduce the monthly compensation they offer through the SSI program. 

The SSA reduces your SSI payment by half of your earned income minus $65 every month. For example, let’s say you earned $1,065 a month while on SSI. The SSA subtracts $65 and then divides $1,000 by half, leaving you with $500.

The SSA then subtracts the $500 from your SSI monthly payment, which would be $794 in 2021. Therefore, you would receive $294 for your SSI payment at that level of compensation from your job. 

Qualify and Apply for Disability Benefits

According to the SSA, you should qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits if:

  • Your previous employment participated in the Social Security program
  • Your medical condition meets SSA’s definition of medical or mental disability

In addition to these two criteria, you must have a disability that prevents you from participating in your previous form of employment. Your disability must prevent you from adjusting to or accepting other forms of employment. Finally, your disability must be expected to have a duration of at least one year or be expected to result in death.

If you meet these criteria, SSA administrators may then use a step-by-step process to determine your eligibility. You may be asked the following five questions:

  • Are you working?
  • Is your disability severe?
  • Is your condition on the disability list?
  • Can you do the work you did previously?
  • Can you do any other type of work?

SSA administrators also consider your disability, age, education, previous work experience, and other factors. Special conditions may apply if you are blind, have low vision, or are the surviving spouse of a qualified worker, a disabled child, or a veteran. Speak to your lawyer about how these conditions might affect your eligibility for benefits.

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Include These Documents with Your Application

According to the SSA, your disability application must include:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Proof of your age
  • List of required medications
  • Complete medical records
  • All laboratory and test results
  • Most recent W-2 form
  • Most recent federal tax return

You should also include information needed to contact your doctors, caseworkers, and all hospitals and clinics where you received care. Include the dates of your visits and any other relevant information.

Our legal team can collect these documents from you to complete your application.

Returning to Work While on SSD

If you decide to return to work while on SSD, you may apply for the Ticket to Work program. This program allows you to try a new job or return to your old position. You begin the program by notifying your Social Security office that you plan to return to work.

The SSA provides you with a Ticket to Work. After this, you can look for and secure a job. Ensure that you report all your earnings properly to the SSA. 

If you do not report your intention to return to work, the SSA may cancel your disability benefits when you receive your first paycheck. 

Our team is committed to helping Social Security Disability applicants navigate the complex claims process. We also work hard to ensure a return to employment does not jeopardize your benefits. Your lawyer can help you determine how much you can make while on disability without having to risk losing your benefits. 

Get legal assistance when you need it most by contacting Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC.

Call or text 828.286.3866 or complete a Case Evaluation form

How much extra income can I make on Social Security Disability?

How Much Money Can You Make on Social Security Disability? You can make up to $1,350 (or $2,260 if you are blind) in 2022 on Social Security Disability or your benefits will stop, which is known as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).

How much can you earn on disability in 2023?

SSDI income limits In 2023, most SSDI recipients can earn up to $1,470 a month from work without risk to their benefits, up from $1,350 the previous year. The cap is higher for beneficiaries who are blind: They can make up to $2,460 a month, a $200 increase from 2022.

How many hours can you work on disability in Florida?

There is no limit on how many hours you can work on SSI, rather a limit on how much you can make in a month. For an individual in 2022, you need to be making less than $841 of countable income per month and have less than $2,000 in assets to qualify. For a couple, the limit is $3,000.