Working While on SSDI in Wisconsin

One of the most common questions disability recipients ask is whether they can earn income while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The short answer is yes — but within strict limits. Understanding those limits is critical, because crossing them can trigger a review that ends your benefits entirely. Wisconsin residents face the same federal rules as everyone else, but knowing how to navigate work activity correctly can protect your monthly payments while you test your ability to return to employment.

How the SSA Defines "Substantial Gainful Activity"

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the term Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether a person's work is significant enough to disqualify them from benefits. In 2024, the SGA threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals. These figures adjust annually for inflation.

If your gross monthly earnings consistently exceed the SGA limit, the SSA may determine that you are no longer disabled and terminate your benefits. The SSA looks at gross earnings — not take-home pay — and may also consider the nature of your work duties, not just your paycheck. For example, if you perform significant services in a business you own, the SSA applies different rules to evaluate whether your work constitutes SGA.

The Trial Work Period: Nine Months to Test the Waters

The SSA provides a structured safety net called the Trial Work Period (TWP), which allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work without immediately losing benefits. During the TWP, you receive full SSDI payments regardless of how much you earn — provided you continue to have a disabling impairment.

The TWP consists of nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month window. In 2024, a month counts as a trial work month when your earnings exceed $1,110. Key points about the TWP:

• You must report all work activity to Social Security promptly
• Benefits continue in full during all nine trial work months
• The nine months do not have to occur back-to-back
• After exhausting your TWP, the SSA evaluates whether your work constitutes SGA

Once your nine trial work months are used, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During the EPE, you receive benefits for any month your earnings fall below SGA — but benefits stop in months where your earnings exceed the limit. This structure gives Wisconsin workers real flexibility to gradually return to work without facing an all-or-nothing cliff.

Ticket to Work and Wisconsin-Specific Resources

The SSA's Ticket to Work program is available to SSDI recipients between ages 18 and 64. By assigning your ticket to an Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation agency, you gain access to free job training, placement assistance, and career counseling — while also suspending certain continuing disability reviews while your ticket is in use.

In Wisconsin, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) serves as a primary state partner under the Ticket to Work program. DVR can fund skills training, assistive technology, and job coaching for individuals whose disabilities require workplace accommodations. Wisconsin also participates in Benefits Counseling services through organizations like the Wisconsin ABLE program and local Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) providers, who can walk you through exactly how employment income will affect your specific benefit package before you accept a job offer.

Taking advantage of these resources before returning to work is strongly advisable. A benefits counselor can model different earnings scenarios and help you avoid inadvertent overpayments, which the SSA will seek to recover — sometimes years after the fact.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Other Deductions

Not all money you earn is counted dollar-for-dollar against the SGA limit. The SSA allows you to deduct Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) from your gross earnings when calculating whether you've exceeded SGA. IRWEs are out-of-pocket costs directly related to your disability that are necessary for you to work. Common examples include:

• Prescription medications needed to manage a disabling condition
• Specialized transportation or vehicle modifications
• Assistive devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, or communication technology
• Cost of a job coach or personal attendant
• Medical devices or prosthetics required at work

For example, if you earn $1,750 per month but pay $300 per month for wheelchair maintenance and a medically necessary attendant to assist with job tasks, the SSA would count only $1,450 toward SGA — keeping you under the 2024 threshold. Document every expense carefully and submit receipts to your local Social Security field office. In Wisconsin, the Milwaukee and Madison district offices process these deductions, but all offices accept IRWE documentation.

Reporting Requirements and Protecting Your Benefits

The single most important obligation for any working SSDI recipient is timely, accurate reporting. You must notify the SSA when you start work, when your earnings change, and when you stop working. Failure to report can result in overpayments, penalties, and in serious cases, allegations of fraud.

The safest approach is to report work activity in writing and keep a copy. You can report online through your my Social Security account, by calling the SSA's national line at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Wisconsin field office in person. Always confirm that your report was received and document the date and method of submission.

If the SSA determines you were overpaid, you have the right to request a waiver if repayment would cause financial hardship and the overpayment was not your fault. You also have the right to appeal any adverse determination within 60 days of receiving notice. Missing that deadline can forfeit your appeal rights, so treat any letter from Social Security as time-sensitive and consult with an attorney immediately if you receive an unfavorable decision.

Returning to work while managing a disability is a serious decision with significant financial consequences. The rules governing SSDI work activity are detailed and unforgiving when misapplied — but when navigated correctly, they offer meaningful opportunities to transition back toward employment without sacrificing the security you've earned.

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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