Working Part-Time in Vermont on SSDI Benefits

Working Part-Time in Vermont on SSDI Benefits

Many Vermont residents receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) wonder whether they can work part-time without losing their benefits. The answer is nuanced—federal rules allow limited work activity, but crossing certain thresholds can trigger a review or termination of your monthly payments. Understanding exactly where those lines are drawn can protect your income and keep your benefits intact.

What Is Substantial Gainful Activity?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the concept of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether a person is working at a level that disqualifies them from SSDI. In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for those who are blind under SSA's definition.

If your gross monthly earnings from work consistently exceed the SGA threshold, the SSA may determine you are no longer disabled—regardless of your medical condition. Part-time work that stays below this limit, however, generally does not disqualify you from receiving SSDI benefits. That said, the SSA looks at the totality of your work activity, not just the dollar amount. Hours worked, the nature of the duties, and how much supervision you require all factor into whether your work is considered substantial.

Vermont does not have a separate state-administered SSDI program. SSDI is a federal program governed entirely by Social Security rules, so Vermont recipients follow the same SGA thresholds, trial work periods, and extended eligibility rules that apply nationwide.

The Trial Work Period Explained

The SSA offers a Trial Work Period (TWP) that allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work without immediately jeopardizing their benefits. During the TWP, you can receive full SSDI payments regardless of how much you earn, as long as you report your work activity and continue to have a qualifying disability.

Key facts about the Trial Work Period:

• It consists of 9 months within a rolling 60-month window—they do not have to be consecutive.
• Any month in which you earn more than $1,110 (2025 threshold) counts as a TWP month.
• After using all 9 TWP months, the SSA evaluates whether your earnings exceed SGA.
• If your earnings remain below SGA after the TWP, your benefits typically continue.

Vermont SSDI recipients should track their TWP months carefully, because once they are used, the rules governing continued benefits become significantly stricter.

The Extended Period of Eligibility

After your Trial Work Period ends, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During the EPE, you receive SSDI payments only in months where your earnings fall below the SGA threshold. Months where you earn above SGA result in a suspended—not terminated—benefit, which means if your earnings drop back below SGA in a later month within that 36-month window, your benefits can be reinstated without filing a new application.

This window provides an important safety net for Vermont workers who may have variable hours or seasonal employment. For example, a Vermont resident with a qualifying disability who works part-time in the summer tourism or ski industry may see fluctuating monthly income. The EPE allows them to receive benefits in lower-earning months without triggering a full termination.

Once the 36-month EPE expires, a single month above SGA can result in termination of SSDI benefits. At that point, reinstatement requires either a new application or an Expedited Reinstatement request, which has its own strict eligibility rules.

Reporting Work Activity in Vermont

Vermont SSDI recipients are legally required to report any work activity to the SSA promptly. Failure to report earnings—even part-time or sporadic work—can result in overpayments that the SSA will demand repayment of, sometimes years after the fact. The SSA cross-references IRS wage data and can identify unreported earnings during periodic continuing disability reviews.

To report work activity, Vermont residents can:

• Contact the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213 or the local Vermont Social Security offices in Burlington, Rutland, or St. Johnsbury.
• Use the my Social Security online portal at ssa.gov to report wages directly.
• Submit a written report to your local Social Security field office.
• Use the SSA's Ticket to Work program case manager if enrolled.

Report earnings as early as possible—ideally before or immediately after starting work—to minimize the risk of accumulating an overpayment liability. Keep copies of all pay stubs, correspondence, and confirmation numbers from any reports you make.

Vermont Work Incentive Programs and Resources

Vermont offers state-level resources that complement federal SSDI work incentive programs. The Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VocRehab Vermont) provides employment support services for individuals with disabilities, including job placement, training, and workplace accommodations at no cost to the participant. Engaging with VocRehab does not affect your SSDI eligibility.

Vermont is also a participating state in the Ticket to Work program, which allows SSDI recipients to assign their Ticket to an Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation agency. Participating in Ticket to Work can temporarily protect you from Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) while you attempt to return to work.

Additionally, Vermont's Medicaid for Working Adults with Disabilities (MAWD) program allows individuals who return to part-time or full-time work to retain Medicaid coverage based on income and a premium contribution. This is critical because many Vermont SSDI recipients rely on Medicare, which does not begin until 24 months after SSDI approval. MAWD can bridge that gap or supplement Medicare coverage when employment income would otherwise disqualify a person from standard Medicaid.

One area where Vermont SSDI recipients commonly make costly mistakes is failing to account for in-kind contributions or self-employment income. If you perform services in exchange for housing, goods, or other non-cash compensation, those arrangements may still count as work activity under SSA rules. Similarly, self-employment—even at low income levels—is evaluated differently than traditional wages, using net earnings and a test of whether the work constitutes a "significant service" to a business.

Anyone navigating these rules while managing a disabling condition deserves accurate information and qualified guidance. The interaction between SGA limits, trial work months, the extended period of eligibility, and Vermont-specific programs creates a complex web that can be difficult to navigate alone. Missteps can result in overpayments, benefit termination, or missed opportunities to preserve both income and health coverage.

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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