Can I Work While On SSDI (179332)

Working While on SSDI in Maine

Many SSDI recipients wonder whether they can earn income without losing their benefits. The answer is yes — but within strict limits set by the Social Security Administration. Understanding these rules is essential for any Maine resident receiving disability benefits who is considering returning to work, even part-time.

The Substantial Gainful Activity Threshold

The SSA uses a benchmark called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether a person is working too much to qualify for SSDI. In 2025, the monthly SGA limit is $1,550 for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for individuals who are blind. If your gross monthly earnings exceed the applicable limit, the SSA may determine you are no longer disabled and terminate your benefits.

It is important to understand that SGA is based on gross wages — not take-home pay — and applies to net earnings if you are self-employed. Maine residents who work seasonal or part-time jobs, such as those tied to tourism or agriculture, should carefully track monthly income to avoid unintentionally crossing the SGA threshold in high-earning months.

The Trial Work Period

The SSA provides a built-in runway for SSDI recipients who want to test their ability to return to work. This is called the Trial Work Period (TWP). During the TWP, you can work and receive full SSDI benefits regardless of how much you earn, as long as you continue to have a disabling condition.

The TWP consists of 9 months within a rolling 60-month window. In 2025, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 counts as a trial work month. These months do not need to be consecutive. Once you have used all 9 trial work months, the SSA will evaluate your work activity to determine if it constitutes SGA.

For Maine workers, this can be a valuable window. Someone recovering from a serious injury or managing a chronic condition may want to try returning to lighter work before committing fully. The TWP gives you that flexibility without immediately risking your monthly benefit check.

The Extended Period of Eligibility

After the Trial Work Period ends, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this window, you can receive SSDI benefits for any month your earnings fall below the SGA threshold. If you earn above SGA in a given month, your benefits are suspended for that month — but you do not need to reapply if your earnings drop below SGA again within the EPE.

This protection is significant. It means that if your medical condition worsens or your work hours are reduced, you can quickly reclaim your benefits without restarting the application process. Maine claimants working in variable-income industries — such as fishing, forestry, or construction — may find the EPE especially useful as an income safety net.

Reporting Work Activity to the SSA

One of the most critical obligations for SSDI recipients who work is accurate and timely reporting. You are required to notify the SSA when you start working, when your wages or hours change, and when you stop working. Failing to report can result in overpayments that the SSA will seek to recover — often years later.

• Report work activity by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office in Maine
• Submit pay stubs or self-employment records to document your earnings
• Keep copies of all correspondence with the SSA
• Report changes promptly — the SSA can assess penalties for unreported work activity
• Use the SSA's my Social Security online portal to track your benefit status

Maine has Social Security field offices in Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and Presque Isle. If you prefer in-person assistance, visiting a local office can help ensure your work activity is accurately documented and reported.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Other Deductions

The SSA allows SSDI recipients to deduct certain disability-related costs from their gross earnings before determining whether they have exceeded the SGA threshold. These are called Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs). Common examples include:

• Prescription medications necessary to perform your job
• Medical equipment or prosthetics used at work
• Transportation costs for individuals who cannot use public transit due to their disability
• Attendant care services needed to travel to and from work
• Modifications to your vehicle or workplace required by your condition

If you have significant IRWEs, your countable earnings for SGA purposes may be considerably lower than your actual wages. This can make the difference between keeping and losing your benefits. Documenting these expenses carefully and submitting them to the SSA is essential.

Additionally, if you are attempting to return to work through a Ticket to Work program — available to SSDI recipients between ages 18 and 64 — you may be able to access employment services, vocational rehabilitation, and job counseling at no cost. Maine's Department of Labor and local Employment Networks participate in this program.

What Happens If You Lose Benefits Due to Work

If your benefits are terminated because your work activity exceeds SGA after the EPE, you have important protections. Within 5 years of your benefits ending, you can request reinstatement — called Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) — if your medical condition again prevents you from working at the SGA level. During the EXR review period, you can receive up to 6 months of provisional benefits while the SSA evaluates your request.

This protection is often overlooked. Many Maine SSDI recipients believe that once their benefits stop, they must go through the full application process again. That is not necessarily true if you act within the 5-year window and meet the other EXR requirements.

Work activity decisions are complex, and even honest mistakes in reporting can result in overpayments or benefit terminations. If you receive a notice from the SSA about your work activity or earnings, do not ignore it. You have the right to appeal, and those appeal deadlines are strict — typically 60 days from the date of the notice.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

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