What Happens If You Return to Work After Filing for Social Security Disability?

At the Law Offices of Christopher Le, we often receive questions about how returning to work impacts a Social Security Disability (SSD) claim. A common scenario involves an individual who files for SSD while not working, only to return to work a few months later. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves their claim but they’re still working, what happens next? Will they receive back pay? How does it all work? Let’s break it down, using a real-world example to clarify.

Understanding the Scenario

Imagine a client who filed for SSD because they were unable to work due to a disabling condition. About six months after filing, they felt well enough to return to work. Surprisingly, the SSA approves their disability claim while they’re still employed. This raises several questions: Can they continue working? Will they receive any benefits or back pay? What steps should they take?

Key Considerations When Returning to Work When you return to work after filing for SSD, the SSA evaluates your situation based on Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), which is a threshold used to determine if your work activity disqualifies you from receiving benefits. In 2025, the SGA limit for non-blind individuals is approximately $1,620 per month (this amount adjusts annually). If your earnings exceed this limit, the SSA may determine you’re not disabled, as you’re able to engage in SGA.

However, returning to work doesn’t automatically cancel your SSD claim or benefits. The SSA has programs designed to encourage beneficiaries to attempt working without immediately losing their benefits. Let’s explore how this applies to our client’s situation.

1. Impact of Work on SSD Approval: If you were not working when you filed your SSD claim and were approved, the SSA determined you met their disability criteria based on your condition at the time of filing. Returning to work within six months doesn’t necessarily reverse this decision, but it can affect your eligibility for ongoing benefits. The SSA will assess whether your current work constitutes SGA:

   
   

   Below SGA: If your earnings are below the SGA limit, you may still be eligible for monthly benefits, as your work isn’t considered “substantial.”

   
   

   Above SGA: If you’re earning above the SGA limit, you may not receive monthly benefits, but the SSA offers a Trial Work Period (TWP) to test your ability to work without losing benefits immediately.

   
   

2. Trial Work Period (TWP) The TWP allows you to work for up to nine months (not necessarily consecutive) while still receiving full SSD benefits, regardless of how much you earn. In 2025, a trial work month is triggered if you earn more than $1,160 per month (this amount also adjusts annually). During the TWP:

   
   

   You continue receiving your full SSD benefits.

   
   

   The SSA monitors your earnings to track the number of trial work months used.

   
   

   After nine trial work months, the SSA evaluates whether you can sustain SGA. If you can, your benefits may stop after a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), during which benefits can restart if your earnings drop below SGA.

   
   

In our client’s case, since they returned to work six months after filing and were approved, they may already be in their TWP. If their earnings exceed $1,160 per month, those months count toward the nine-month TWP limit. If they’re earning below SGA, they may continue receiving benefits without triggering a TWP month.

Back Pay Eligibility

Back pay, or retroactive benefits, covers the period from your Established Onset Date (EOD)—the date the SSA determines your disability began—to the date your claim was approved, minus a five-month waiting period. For example:

If our client applied in January 2025, became disabled in December 2024, and was approved in July 2025, they could be eligible for back pay from May 2025 (five months after the EOD) to July 2025.

Returning to work doesn’t typically affect back pay, as it’s based on the period when you were not working and disabled. Our client should receive back pay for the months they were eligible, assuming their work didn’t start before the EOD or during the waiting period.

The exact back pay amount depends on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) and the number of months you’re owed.

What Should You Do If You’re Working and Approved for SSD?

If you’re in a situation like our client—approved for SSD but currently working—here are the steps to take:

• Notify the SSA: Report your work activity to the SSA immediately. Provide details about your job, hours, and earnings to ensure accurate tracking of your TWP and benefits.

• Understand Your Earnings: Determine whether your monthly earnings exceed the SGA limit ($1,620 in 2025) or the TWP threshold ($1,160 in 2025). This helps clarify whether you’re using TWP months or remain eligible for benefits.

• Continue Working if Desired: The TWP allows you to test your ability to work without losing benefits immediately. If you want to keep working, you can do so while staying within the TWP framework.

• Monitor Your Health: If your condition worsens or you can’t sustain work, you may continue or resume benefits during the EPE, provided you report changes to the SSA.

• Consult an Attorney: Navigating SSD rules can be complex. An attorney can help you understand your rights, ensure proper reporting, and maximize your benefits.

Will You Lose Benefits by Working?

Not immediately. The TWP and EPE provide a safety net, allowing you to try working without risking your benefits right away. If our client is earning above SGA and exhausts their TWP, they may enter the EPE, during which benefits can stop or restart based on earnings. If they stop working or earn below SGA due to their disability, benefits can resume without a new application during the EPE.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Christopher Le?

Navigating Social Security Disability while returning to work can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. At the Law Offices of Christopher Le, we specialize in helping clients understand their SSD benefits, manage work transitions, and secure the back pay they’re entitled to. Our experienced team will:

• Review your case to ensure accurate SSA decisions.

• Guide you through reporting requirements to avoid overpayments or penalties.

• Advocate for your rights to maximize benefits and back pay.

  
  

If you’ve been approved for SSD but are working, like our client who returned to work six months after filing, you have options. The SSA’s Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility provide flexibility to test your ability to work while maintaining benefits. You may also be eligible for back pay for the period you were disabled and not working. To ensure you’re making informed decisions, contact the Law Offices of Christopher Le today. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of SSD and achieve the financial support you deserve.

Ready to discuss your SSD case? Contact us at the Law Offices of Christopher Le for a FREE consultation.