Working While on SSDI in North Dakota

Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits does not necessarily mean you must remain completely idle. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has established a structured framework that allows beneficiaries to test their ability to work without immediately losing their benefits. Understanding these rules is critical for North Dakota residents who want to explore employment while protecting their financial security.

The Trial Work Period: Your Protected Window

The SSA grants every SSDI recipient a Trial Work Period (TWP) — nine months within a rolling 60-month window during which you can work and earn any amount without affecting your benefits. In 2024, a month counts as a trial work month if you earn more than $1,110 (this figure adjusts annually).

During these nine months, the SSA continues paying your full SSDI benefit regardless of how much you earn. This period is designed to encourage beneficiaries to attempt a return to work without the fear of abruptly losing income support. For North Dakota workers in industries like agriculture, energy, or healthcare, this window can provide meaningful time to assess whether your condition allows sustained employment.

Once you exhaust all nine trial work months, a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) begins. During the EPE, your benefits are paid in months where your earnings fall below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold and suspended in months where they exceed it — without requiring a new application.

Substantial Gainful Activity: The Earnings Threshold That Matters

The central concept governing work and SSDI is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). For 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for those who are blind. Earning above these amounts generally signals to the SSA that you are capable of engaging in substantial work, which can trigger a benefits review or termination.

However, the gross paycheck amount is not always the final number the SSA uses. Certain deductions — called Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) — can reduce your countable earnings. These include costs you pay out of pocket for items or services that allow you to work despite your disability, such as:

• Prescription medications required to manage your condition
• Specialized transportation to and from work
• Medical devices or equipment used on the job
• Attendant care services needed because of your disability
• Modifications to your vehicle or workspace

Documenting these expenses thoroughly and submitting them to the SSA can make a significant difference in whether your earnings remain below the SGA threshold.

The Ticket to Work Program and North Dakota Resources

North Dakota SSDI recipients who want to return to work can benefit from the SSA's Ticket to Work program. This free and voluntary initiative connects beneficiaries with approved Employment Networks (ENs) and State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies that provide job training, placement assistance, career counseling, and other support services.

North Dakota's Vocational Rehabilitation program, administered through the Department of Health and Human Services, serves as a primary resource for disabled individuals seeking employment. Services available through this program include vocational assessment, on-the-job training support, and assistive technology — all of which can ease the transition back to work for SSDI beneficiaries across the state, whether in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, or rural communities.

Participating in the Ticket to Work program also provides an important protection: while your ticket is assigned to an EN or VR agency and you are making timely progress, the SSA generally will not initiate a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) based on your work activity. This protection offers additional peace of mind while you explore employment options.

What Happens If You Earn Too Much

If your earnings consistently exceed the SGA limit after your Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility, the SSA will find that you have demonstrated the ability to engage in substantial gainful activity and will terminate your SSDI benefits. This is known as a medical cessation based on work.

However, you retain important safety nets. For five years after benefits are terminated due to earnings (within the EPE), you can request expedited reinstatement if your earnings drop below SGA again due to your disabling condition — without filing a completely new application and waiting for a full determination. This provision is particularly valuable for workers in physically demanding North Dakota industries like oil field work or farming, where disability symptoms may fluctuate seasonally or in response to work demands.

It is equally important to understand your reporting obligations. The SSA requires you to promptly report any return to work, changes in pay, or changes in job duties. Failing to report can result in overpayments that the SSA will demand repaid — sometimes years later. Overpayment recovery can be financially devastating, so proactive reporting is essential.

Practical Steps for North Dakota SSDI Recipients Considering Work

Before accepting any employment, take deliberate steps to protect your benefits and understand your position:

• Contact your local SSA office. Field offices in Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot can clarify your current status, how many trial work months you have used, and where you stand in the EPE.
• Consult a Benefits Counselor. North Dakota's Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program provides free benefits counseling to help you understand exactly how earnings will affect your SSDI, Medicare, and any state assistance you receive.
• Track and document all disability-related work expenses from day one. IRWEs can only be applied prospectively if you have receipts and documentation.
• Notify the SSA in writing when you start work, even part-time. Keep copies of all correspondence.
• Understand Medicare continuation. Even after SSDI cash benefits end due to work, you may continue Medicare coverage for up to 93 months through the Extended Period of Medicare Coverage — a critical protection for managing ongoing medical costs.

The intersection of disability benefits and employment is one of the most technically complex areas of Social Security law. Small decisions — accepting a promotion, changing hours, switching employers — can have outsized consequences on your benefit status. An experienced SSDI attorney can help you model different employment scenarios before you commit to them, ensuring you do not inadvertently jeopardize benefits you worked hard to secure.

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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