What Triggers a Trial Work Period in Social Security Disability? A Guide from Your SSDI and SSI Attorney

As a Social Security disability lawyer dedicated to helping clients maximize their SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits, I frequently get questions about returning to work without jeopardizing hard-earned approvals. One of the most powerful tools in the SSA's system is the Trial Work Period (TWP), designed to encourage beneficiaries to test the waters of employment. But what exactly starts this period? And how does it apply—or not apply—to SSI cases? If you're an SSDI or SSI recipient eyeing a job opportunity, understanding the triggers and differences is crucial to avoid surprises. In this blog, I'll break down the TWP for SSDI, its triggers, rules for 2025, and then explain how work incentives play out differently for SSI. Let's demystify these incentives so you can make informed decisions.

Understanding the Trial Work Period: The Basics for SSDI

The TWP is an SSDI-specific work incentive from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that lets you try working for up to nine months while still receiving your full disability benefits—regardless of how much you earn during those months. It's essentially a "safety net" phase, allowing you to assess if you can sustain employment without immediately losing your monthly checks or Medicare coverage.

Key points for SSDI:

• Eligibility: You must already be receiving SSDI benefits. The TWP doesn't apply during the initial application process.

• Duration: Up to 9 months, not necessarily consecutive, counted within a rolling 60-month (5-year) period.

• Purpose: To promote rehabilitation and self-sufficiency by removing the fear of instant benefit loss.

Unlike Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) rules, which can halt benefits if you earn too much, the TWP ignores high earnings temporarily. However, once those nine months are used up, you transition to the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), where earnings above SGA thresholds could suspend benefits.

Important note: The TWP applies only to SSDI beneficiaries and is not available for SSI recipients. SSI has its own set of work incentives, which we'll cover later in this post.

What Triggers a Trial Work Period Month in SSDI?

A TWP month is "triggered" when you perform work that meets the SSA's definition of a "service month." This is the starting gun for counting toward your nine-month limit. Here's what counts:

1. Earnings Threshold for Employees: If your gross earnings (before taxes) exceed $1,160 in a calendar month in 2025, that month counts as a TWP service month. This amount is adjusted annually; for comparison, it was $1,110 in 2024.

2. Self-Employment Rules: For self-employed individuals, a month triggers if you work more than 80 hours or your net earnings (after business expenses) exceed $1,160. The SSA evaluates this based on the value of your services to the business, not just profits.

3. Other Considerations: Volunteer work or sheltered employment might not trigger a TWP if earnings are below the threshold. However, any paid work—even part-time—could count if it hits the limit.

   
   

Important: The TWP only triggers after your SSDI entitlement begins and you've completed any waiting periods. If you perform substantial gainful activity within 12 months of your disability onset, you might not qualify for benefits or a TWP at all.

These triggers are straightforward but require careful tracking. The SSA doesn't automatically notify you when a month counts—it's on you to report earnings promptly via their forms or app.

Why Triggers Matter: Benefits and Pitfalls for SSDI

Knowing what sparks a TWP month helps you strategically use this period. Benefits include:

• Full SSDI payments and Medicare continuation during the 9 months.

• No impact from exceeding SGA (which is $1,620/month for non-blind in 2025).

• Flexibility to stop and restart work without reapplying, as long as months remain in your 60-month window.

  
  

However, pitfalls exist:

• Once triggered and exhausted, entering the EPE means benefits suspend in months where earnings exceed SGA—but can restart if they drop below.

• Poor reporting can lead to overpayments, which the SSA will recoup.

• For those with fluctuating conditions, accidental triggers from short gigs could burn through months prematurely.

  
  

How Work Incentives Play Into SSI Disability Cases

While the TWP is a cornerstone for SSDI, SSI operates under a different framework. SSI does not have a Trial Work Period because benefits are needs-based and adjusted monthly based on your income. Instead, the SSA offers a variety of work incentives to encourage employment without immediately cutting off support. These focus on excluding portions of your earnings from countable income, which directly affects your SSI payment amount.

Key SSI work incentives include:

• Earned Income Exclusion: The SSA excludes the first $20 of any income (earned or unearned) and an additional $65 of earned income, plus half of any remaining earned income. This means your SSI benefit reduces by only $1 for every $2 you earn above $85.

• Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE): If you're a student under age 22, up to $2,350 per month (but no more than $9,460 per year) of your earnings can be excluded in 2025. This is ideal for young people balancing education and part-time work.

• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): Costs for items or services needed due to your disability (e.g., modified transportation or medical devices) are deducted from your earnings before calculating countable income.

• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): You can set aside income or resources for a work-related goal (like training or equipment), and those amounts won't count toward your SSI eligibility or payment.

• Blind Work Expenses (BWE): For blind recipients, any work-related expenses (not just impairment-related) are deducted from earnings.

• Medicaid While Working (Section 1619(b)): Even if earnings make you ineligible for SSI cash benefits, you may keep Medicaid if your income is below state-specific thresholds.

  
  

Unlike SSDI's TWP, which allows unlimited earnings during the trial without benefit reduction, SSI incentives reduce benefits gradually based on income. There's no "free" trial period—work impacts payments right away, but exclusions soften the blow. Shared incentives like Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) and the Ticket to Work program apply to both SSDI and SSI, offering protections like quick benefit restarts within 5 years if work fails.

If you're on both SSDI and SSI (concurrent benefits), TWP applies to your SSDI portion, while SSI follows its income rules.

What Happens After the TWP in SSDI (and Parallels in SSI)?

For SSDI, after nine TWP months, you enter a 36-month EPE. Here:

• Benefits continue in months below SGA.

• The first month over SGA post-TWP starts the EPE clock.

• After EPE, if you're still over SGA, benefits terminate, but expedited reinstatement is available for five years.

  
  

For SSI, there's no equivalent EPE, but ongoing incentives like IRWE and PASS provide long-term support. Programs like Ticket to Work can extend protections and offer vocational rehab for both programs.

Ready to Discuss Your Situation?

At Law offices of Christopher Le, we specialize in Social Security disability claims and understand the nuances of SSDI's TWP and SSI's work incentives. If you're considering returning to work or need clarity on how earnings affect your benefits, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll review your case thoroughly and guide you on the best path forward. Don't let confusion hold you back—reach out now at 210-885-3408.

This post is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Laws and thresholds can change, so always verify with the SSA or a qualified attorney.