If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the thought of returning to work can raise a number of concerns. It's completely normal to worry about how employment might impact your benefits. Below, we’ll walk through the most common concerns—along with clear, practical solutions to help you move forward with confidence.
1. Work Expenses Due to Disability
Have you ever thought? What if I have extra costs because of my disability—will that reduce how much I can earn?
During the 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), you may be able to earn more than the earnings limit without affecting your benefits if you have work-related expenses due to your disability. These could include costs like specialized transportation, personal care attendants, or adaptive equipment. The value of these costs can be deducted from your countable income.
You may also qualify for a subsidy if your employer provides additional support, such as extra supervision or adjusted duties. These accommodations can increase your earnings threshold without affecting your benefits.
2. Eligibility for Medicaid While Working
You may think: Will I lose Medicaid if I start working while receiving SSI?
The reality is that many SSI recipients can keep their Medicaid coverage even after they start working. Your case may be reviewed, but in many situations, you remain eligible if your disability continues and your income stays within certain limits. Work incentives and special rules are in place to ensure that returning to work doesn’t mean immediately losing healthcare access.
3. Continuing Eligibility for Disability Benefits
You may say: If I start working, does that mean Social Security will stop considering me disabled?
The truth is that as long as you continue to meet Social Security’s definition of disability, your benefits won’t end just because you go back to work. Your eligibility may be reviewed, but continued support is available through work incentives, and your benefits can continue if you're still medically eligible.
4. Trial Work Period (SSDI Only)
Have you ever wondered, can I try working without instantly losing my benefits?
The answer is “Yes!”. SSDI recipients can take advantage of a Trial Work Period (TWP). During this time, you can test your ability to work for at least 9 months and still receive full SSDI payments, no matter how much you earn. These months don’t have to be consecutive, and the period occurs within a rolling 5-year window. It's a risk-free way to re-enter the workforce.
5. Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
Another concern people have is: Will working cause Social Security to review my case and stop my benefits?
Social Security does conduct periodic Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), but returning to work alone doesn’t trigger an automatic end to your benefits. If your medical condition still qualifies and you're using approved work incentives, you may continue receiving benefits. Be sure to report your work activity and any related accommodations.
6. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) and Medicare
Lastly, a lot of beneficiaries ask themselves: What happens after my trial work period? Will I lose my healthcare coverage?
After the Trial Work Period, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility. During this time, if your earnings are below the threshold, you will continue to receive SSDI. If your earnings go over, your benefit will stop for that month—but it can restart automatically if your earnings fall again.
- You typically keep Medicare Part A at no cost during the trial period and for many months afterward.
- You may continue Part B by paying the monthly premium.
- After these protections end, you can usually keep Medicare coverage by paying premiums, and Medicare Part A often becomes premium-free again once you turn 65.
Financial Independence Starts With a Confident First Step
These work incentives and safety nets are designed to support your return to work—not penalize it. At Disability Services of America, we believe the best path to financial independence is through informed, supported employment.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. We’re here to help you:
- Understand your work incentives
- Report work activity correctly
- Maintain or regain healthcare coverage
- Build a path to long-term financial stability
Take the first step today—reach out and let us help you work toward your goals.