Working While on SSDI: What Nebraska Claimants Must Know

Working While on SSDI: What Nebraska Claimants Must Know

Many Social Security Disability Insurance recipients fear that earning any income will immediately cost them their benefits. That fear is understandable, but it is not entirely accurate. The Social Security Administration has established specific rules that allow SSDI beneficiaries to test their ability to return to work without automatically losing their monthly payments. Understanding those rules — and following them precisely — is essential for any Nebraska resident receiving disability benefits.

The Substantial Gainful Activity Threshold

The foundation of the SSA's work rules is a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity, commonly referred to as SGA. If you earn more than the SGA limit in a given month, the SSA considers you capable of working and may terminate your benefits. For 2025, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for those who are blind. These figures are adjusted annually for inflation.

Earning below the SGA threshold in a given month generally does not trigger a review of your eligibility. However, earning above it — even occasionally — can set off a chain of administrative reviews that ultimately results in benefit termination if the SSA concludes you can sustain substantial work activity. Nebraska residents should also be aware that self-employment income is evaluated differently, taking into account the hours worked and the value of services performed, not simply the net profit on a tax return.

The Trial Work Period: Nine Months to Test the Waters

Congress recognized that people with disabilities should have the opportunity to attempt a return to work without the immediate threat of losing their safety net. The Trial Work Period (TWP) provides that opportunity. During the TWP, you can work and receive your full SSDI benefit regardless of how much you earn, as long as you report your work activity to the SSA.

The TWP consists of nine months within any rolling 60-month window. A month counts as a trial work month if your gross earnings exceed the monthly trigger amount, which is $1,110 in 2025. These nine months do not need to be consecutive. Once you have used all nine trial work months, the SSA will review your work activity to determine whether you have been engaging in substantial gainful activity.

For Nebraska claimants working in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, or healthcare — sectors with seasonal or variable income — tracking which months qualify as trial work months is particularly important. Keeping detailed records of pay stubs, hours worked, and any disability-related work expenses will protect you during a potential SSA review.

The Extended Period of Eligibility and Grace Period

After the Trial Work Period ends, your case enters the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which spans 36 consecutive months. During the EPE, you are entitled to receive your SSDI benefit in any month where your earnings fall below the SGA threshold. If your earnings exceed SGA in a given month, you will not receive a benefit for that month, but you do not need to reapply for benefits — you simply receive no payment for that higher-earning month.

The EPE includes what is commonly called a grace period: the first month you exceed SGA after the Trial Work Period, plus the following two months. During those three months, you receive your full benefit even though your earnings are above SGA. After the grace period, monthly benefits stop in any month you earn above SGA.

If your earnings drop back below SGA at any point during the EPE, your benefits are reinstated without a new application. This flexibility is one of the most significant protections available to working SSDI recipients and one that many Nebraska claimants do not fully utilize because they are unaware of it.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Other Deductions

Nebraska SSDI recipients who work should understand that certain costs directly related to their disability can be deducted from gross earnings when the SSA calculates whether income meets the SGA threshold. These are called Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs).

Qualifying IRWEs may include:

• Prescription medications necessary to control a disabling condition
• Specialized transportation costs related to the disability
• Medical devices, adaptive equipment, or assistive technology required for work
• Attendant care services needed during working hours
• Certain psychological therapy or counseling directly tied to work capacity

If your gross monthly earnings are above the SGA limit but your net earnings after deducting IRWEs fall below it, the SSA should not count that month against your SGA determination. Documenting every disability-related expense — with receipts and physician verification where possible — is critical. Nebraska has a network of Vocational Rehabilitation services through Nebraska VR that can help identify and document qualifying expenses while also connecting workers with assistive technology resources.

Reporting Requirements and the Ticket to Work Program

One of the most common mistakes SSDI recipients make is failing to report work activity promptly. You are legally required to report any work activity to the SSA, regardless of how much you earn. Failing to report can result in overpayments that the SSA will demand back — sometimes years later — and in serious cases, allegations of fraud.

Report work activity by notifying your local Social Security field office. Nebraska residents can contact the SSA's offices in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, North Platte, and other locations throughout the state. You can also report online through your My Social Security account or by calling the national SSA line at 1-800-772-1213.

For those interested in a more structured return to work, the SSA's Ticket to Work program offers SSDI recipients access to employment services, vocational rehabilitation, and job training through approved service providers — at no cost. Participating in the Ticket to Work program can also provide protection from continuing disability reviews while you are working toward self-sufficiency. Nebraska has multiple Ticket to Work Employment Networks and the state's Vocational Rehabilitation agency participates as an approved provider.

Working while receiving SSDI is not forbidden — but it demands careful navigation of SSA rules, consistent recordkeeping, and timely reporting. A misstep in any of these areas can result in unexpected overpayments, suspension of benefits, or full termination of your disability claim. Nebraska claimants who want to explore work options should do so with a clear understanding of the rules and ideally with the guidance of a disability attorney who can help protect their benefits throughout the process.

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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