SSDI Disability Benefits – Work and Income Limits for 2024

If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you might wonder if you can work and still receive your benefits. The good news is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows some flexibility in earning additional income while maintaining your SSDI benefits. Here’s what you need to know for 2024.

Qualifying for SSDI

To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must meet specific criteria:

• Disability: You must have a qualifying disability that lasts for more than a year or is expected to result in death.
• Work Credits: You must have earned enough work credits through your previous employment.

If you don’t meet these criteria, you won’t qualify for SSDI benefits. Once you qualify, you might find that your SSDI payment is insufficient, leading you to seek additional income.

Receiving SSDI

SSDI recipients can work while still receiving benefits, but there are limits and specific programs to consider.

Ticket to Work Program

The SSA offers the Ticket to Work Program, which helps SSDI recipients return to the workforce without immediately losing their benefits. If you participate and later cannot continue working due to your disability, you can resume receiving benefits without reapplying.

Trial Work Period (TWP)

The Trial Work Period allows you to work for up to nine months while still receiving full SSDI benefits, regardless of how much you earn. For 2024, a trial work month is defined as earning more than $1,110. It’s essential to report your earnings to the SSA during this period.

Extended Period of Eligibility

After the Trial Work Period, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which lasts for 36 months. During this time, you can still receive benefits if your earnings are not considered “substantial.”

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limits

For 2024, the SGA limits are:

• Non-Blind Individuals: Earnings over $1,550 per month are considered substantial.
• Blind Individuals: Earnings over $2,590 per month are considered substantial.

If your earnings exceed these limits, your SSDI benefits may be suspended, but not necessarily terminated.

Income Taxes

SSDI benefits can be subject to income tax, depending on your combined income and filing status.

Individual Filers

• Combined Income $25,000 – $34,000: Up to 50% of your benefits may be taxable.
• Combined Income Over $34,000: Up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.

Joint Filers

• Combined Income $32,000 – $44,000: Up to 50% of your benefits may be taxable.
• Combined Income Over $44,000: Up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.

SSDI and Work

Knowing the limits and opportunities available while receiving SSDI benefits can help you manage your finances better. Utilizing SSA programs like the Ticket to Work and knowing the implications of your earnings can make a significant difference in maintaining your benefits while improving your financial situation.

FAQs