Working While on SSDI: What North Dakota Recipients Need to Know

Many Social Security Disability Insurance recipients wonder whether they can earn any income without losing their benefits. The answer is yes — but within strict limits set by the Social Security Administration. Understanding these rules is critical for North Dakota residents who want to explore part-time work, test their ability to return to employment, or simply supplement their income without jeopardizing the benefits they worked hard to qualify for.

The Substantial Gainful Activity Threshold

The SSA uses a standard called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether a person's work disqualifies them from SSDI. In 2025, the monthly SGA limit for non-blind individuals is $1,550 per month. For individuals who are statutorily blind, the limit is higher — $2,590 per month.

If your gross earnings consistently exceed the SGA threshold, the SSA may determine you are no longer disabled and terminate your benefits. This applies regardless of where you live, including North Dakota. The SGA amount is adjusted annually for inflation, so it is important to check the current figure each year.

Not all income counts equally toward SGA. The SSA may deduct certain work-related expenses — called Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) — from your gross earnings before comparing them to the SGA limit. If you pay out of pocket for medications, transportation to work, or specialized equipment necessary because of your disability, those costs can reduce your countable income.

The Trial Work Period: A Protected Window to Test Employment

One of the most beneficial provisions for SSDI recipients considering a return to work is the Trial Work Period (TWP). This program allows you to test your ability to work for up to nine months — not necessarily consecutive — within a rolling 60-month window, without any risk to your benefits.

During your trial work months, you receive your full SSDI benefit regardless of how much you earn. A month counts as a trial work month in 2025 if your earnings exceed $1,110. Once you have used all nine trial work months, the SSA evaluates whether your work constitutes SGA. If it does, your benefits may be discontinued after a three-month grace period.

For North Dakota residents living in rural communities or working in seasonal industries like agriculture, the TWP can be particularly useful. You may be able to test your capacity during a harvest season or a temporary position before committing to ongoing employment.

The Extended Period of Eligibility

After your Trial Work Period ends, you enter a 36-month window known as the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this period, you are entitled to receive your full SSDI payment for any month in which your earnings fall below the SGA threshold — without having to reapply for benefits.

This is a critical safety net. If you lose your job, experience a medical setback, or are forced to reduce your hours, your benefits can be reinstated quickly during the EPE. You do not need to go through the full application process again. This protection gives North Dakota workers greater flexibility to attempt employment without fear of being permanently cut off from benefits if things do not work out.

Once the 36-month EPE expires, you may still be able to request Expedited Reinstatement if your earnings drop below SGA within five years of benefit termination. This allows you to receive provisional benefits while the SSA reviews your reinstatement request.

Reporting Requirements and Obligations in North Dakota

SSDI recipients have a legal obligation to report all work activity to the Social Security Administration. This includes:

• Starting or stopping a job
• Any change in pay, hours, or job duties
• Beginning self-employment or freelance work
• Receiving any employer-paid sick leave or disability benefits

In North Dakota, you can report work activity by contacting the SSA directly by phone at 1-800-772-1213, visiting your nearest SSA field office (located in cities such as Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot), or through your My Social Security online account.

Failing to report work activity is not a minor oversight — it is considered fraud. If the SSA discovers unreported earnings, they can demand repayment of all overpaid benefits, impose penalties, and in serious cases refer the matter for criminal prosecution. Honest and timely reporting protects you from these consequences.

Self-Employment and North Dakota's Rural Economy

Self-employment presents unique challenges under SSDI rules. The SSA does not simply look at your net profit when evaluating SGA for self-employed individuals. Instead, it applies one of three tests: the Significant Services and Substantial Income Test, the Comparability Test, or the Worth of Work Test. The most favorable test for the recipient is typically applied.

Many North Dakota residents engage in farming, ranching, or small business ownership — all of which can create complicated income pictures. Seasonal fluctuations, operating losses, and in-kind contributions can all affect how the SSA evaluates self-employment income. If you are self-employed and receiving SSDI, consulting with a disability attorney before expanding your business activity is strongly advisable.

The SSA also scrutinizes whether a self-employed person with a disability is performing services that are significant to the operation of the business, even if the actual monetary profit is modest. A rancher in western North Dakota who personally manages livestock operations may be found to be performing SGA even if the net income is low.

Ticket to Work Program

The SSA offers a voluntary program called Ticket to Work that connects SSDI recipients with free employment support services, including job placement, vocational rehabilitation, and career counseling. Participation in the Ticket to Work program also provides protection from routine Continuing Disability Reviews while you are making timely progress toward employment goals.

North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation is an approved Employment Network under the Ticket to Work program. Working with their counselors can help you develop a sustainable return-to-work plan that takes your specific limitations and the regional job market into account.

The key takeaway for North Dakota SSDI recipients is this: working while receiving benefits is possible, but the rules are strict, the reporting obligations are real, and the consequences of noncompliance are serious. Approach any work activity with a clear understanding of how it affects your benefits — ideally with legal guidance before you begin.

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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