SSDI Trial Work Period in New Mexico

For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients in New Mexico, the Trial Work Period (TWP) is one of the most valuable—and most misunderstood—provisions in federal disability law. It allows you to test your ability to return to work without immediately losing your monthly benefits. Understanding exactly how this program works can mean the difference between a confident return to employment and an unexpected termination of your disability payments.

What Is the SSDI Trial Work Period?

The Trial Work Period is a Social Security Administration (SSA) program that gives SSDI beneficiaries a protected window to attempt gainful employment while continuing to receive full monthly disability benefits. Under federal law, you are entitled to nine Trial Work Period months within any rolling 60-month window, regardless of how much you earn during those months.

A month counts as a TWP month when your gross earnings exceed a threshold set by the SSA. For 2024, that threshold is $1,110 per month. Self-employed individuals trigger a TWP month when they work more than 80 hours in a month, even if earnings are below the threshold. The nine months do not need to be consecutive—they accumulate over a five-year rolling period.

During every one of those nine months, you receive your full SSDI benefit payment, no matter how much you earn. The SSA does not reduce or offset your check based on income during the TWP. This protection gives New Mexico residents a genuine opportunity to test their physical and mental capacity to work without gambling their financial stability.

What Happens After the Trial Work Period Ends

Once you have used all nine Trial Work Period months, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During the EPE, the SSA evaluates each month to determine whether your earnings exceed Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits. For 2024, SGA is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals.

During the EPE, if your earnings fall below the SGA threshold in any given month, you can receive your full SSDI benefit for that month without reapplying. This creates a critical safety net—if you attempt to return to work but experience a relapse of your disabling condition, you can resume benefits without starting the application process over from scratch.

After the EPE concludes, however, the rules tighten considerably. If you are still earning above SGA at that point, your benefits will be terminated, and reinstating them requires a new application unless you qualify under the Expedited Reinstatement provision, which allows former beneficiaries to request reinstatement within five years of termination if the same or related medical condition causes them to stop working.

New Mexico-Specific Considerations for TWP Planning

While the Trial Work Period is a federal program administered uniformly by the SSA, New Mexico residents face unique circumstances that can affect how they navigate it effectively.

• New Mexico's Workforce Connection offices offer vocational rehabilitation and employment services specifically for people with disabilities. Partnering with New Mexico Vocational Rehabilitation (NMVR) before or during a TWP can provide job coaching, assistive technology, and workplace accommodations that improve your chances of a sustainable return to work.
• New Mexico has a relatively high rate of self-employment and gig economy work, particularly in rural areas and on tribal lands. Self-employed SSDI recipients must track hours carefully, since the 80-hour rule—not just gross income—can trigger a TWP month even in months with minimal earnings.
• New Mexico participates in the Ticket to Work program, a voluntary SSA initiative that suspends continuing disability reviews while you are actively working toward self-sufficiency with an approved Employment Network or vocational rehabilitation provider. This adds an additional layer of protection during your work attempt.
• State income taxes in New Mexico apply to Social Security benefits for recipients above certain income thresholds. As your earned income increases during a TWP, consult a tax professional familiar with New Mexico law to understand your total tax liability.

Common Mistakes That Jeopardize Your Benefits

New Mexico SSDI recipients frequently make avoidable errors during the Trial Work Period that lead to overpayments, benefit terminations, or both. The SSA treats overpayments seriously, and repaying thousands of dollars of benefits can create severe financial hardship.

• Failing to report earnings promptly. You are legally required to report any work activity to the SSA, regardless of how much you earn. Many beneficiaries delay reporting because they assume their earnings are too low to matter. This is incorrect—every work attempt must be reported, and unreported earnings can result in overpayment demands years later.
• Misunderstanding what counts as a TWP month. Sporadic or part-time work can still trigger a TWP month if gross earnings cross the $1,110 threshold. Bonuses, vacation pay, and severance are included in this calculation.
• Assuming TWP protection continues indefinitely. Nine months sounds like a lot, but they accumulate faster than most recipients expect, especially with part-time seasonal work common in New Mexico's tourism and agriculture industries.
• Not requesting work incentive consultations. The SSA's Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program provides free benefits counseling through community organizations in New Mexico. A certified benefits counselor can map out exactly how your specific employment plan will interact with your benefits.

Taking Action: Steps to Protect Your SSDI During a Work Attempt

If you are considering returning to work while receiving SSDI in New Mexico, take the following steps before your first day of employment:

• Contact your local SSA field office or call 1-800-772-1213 to notify the agency of your intent to work and obtain written confirmation of your current TWP month count.
• Request a benefits planning consultation through New Mexico's WIPA program to understand how your specific plan will affect Medicare, Medicaid, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you receive both.
• Keep meticulous monthly records of every hour worked and every dollar earned, including tips, bonuses, and in-kind payments.
• Explore whether your employer or prospective employer can provide reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to support a sustainable return to work alongside your TWP.
• Consult with a disability attorney before accepting any employment offer that could complicate your benefits status, particularly if the position involves potential SGA-level earnings.

The Trial Work Period is a genuine opportunity—but only if you approach it with a clear, documented plan. New Mexico SSDI recipients who work with experienced legal counsel and certified benefits planners are far more likely to complete a successful work attempt or preserve their benefits when a work attempt does not succeed. The rules are technical, the deadlines are strict, and the financial stakes are too high to navigate alone.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

Related Articles

• Not Enough Work Credits for SSDI in Illinois
• Average SSDI Payment in Florida: What to Expect
• SSDI Hearing: What to Expect in North Carolina