Working Part-Time on SSDI in Hawaii

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides crucial financial support to individuals who cannot work due to disabling conditions. However, many Hawaii residents receiving SSDI benefits wonder whether they can supplement their income through part-time work without jeopardizing their eligibility. The answer is yes, but with important limitations and requirements that must be carefully followed.

Understanding the rules governing work activity while receiving SSDI benefits is essential for Hawaii residents who want to explore employment opportunities without losing their disability status. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has established specific guidelines that allow beneficiaries to test their ability to work while maintaining protections.

Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

The primary concept governing work while on SSDI is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). The SSA defines SGA as work activity that involves significant physical or mental activities performed for pay or profit. For 2024, the monthly SGA limit for non-blind individuals is $1,550, while blind individuals have a higher threshold of $2,590.

If your monthly earnings from part-time work exceed these thresholds, the SSA may determine that you are engaging in substantial gainful activity and therefore no longer disabled under their definition. This could result in termination of your SSDI benefits. Hawaii residents must carefully monitor their earnings to ensure they remain below these federal limits.

It is important to note that these are federal standards that apply uniformly across all states, including Hawaii. The SSA does not adjust these limits based on Hawaii's higher cost of living, which can present challenges for beneficiaries living in one of the nation's most expensive states.

Trial Work Period: Testing Your Ability to Work

The SSA offers a valuable safety net called the Trial Work Period (TWP) that allows SSDI beneficiaries to test their ability to work for at least nine months without losing benefits, regardless of earnings level. This program recognizes that individuals with disabilities may want to attempt returning to work without immediately risking their financial security.

During the TWP, you can earn any amount of money while still receiving full SSDI benefits. For 2024, a trial work month is any month in which you earn more than $1,110 or work more than 80 self-employed hours. The nine trial work months do not need to be consecutive and can occur within a rolling 60-month period.

Hawaii residents should carefully track their work activity and earnings during this period. Once you complete nine trial work months, the TWP ends, and your earnings will be evaluated under the SGA limits. However, additional protections remain in place even after the TWP concludes.

Extended Period of Eligibility and Expedited Reinstatement

After completing your Trial Work Period, you enter an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) that lasts for 36 consecutive months. During the EPE, you will receive SSDI benefits for any month your earnings fall below the SGA threshold. If your earnings exceed SGA levels, your benefits will be suspended but not terminated.

This protection is particularly valuable for Hawaii workers whose employment may be seasonal or irregular. For example, if you work in Hawaii's tourism industry and experience fluctuating hours, you may have some months above SGA and others below, allowing you to receive benefits in the lower-earning months.

If your benefits are terminated after the EPE because you consistently earn above SGA levels, you still have protection through Expedited Reinstatement (EXR). If you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA within five years of benefit termination due to work, you can request expedited reinstatement without filing a new application or completing the lengthy disability determination process.

What Counts Toward SGA in Hawaii

The SSA considers various factors when determining whether work activity constitutes SGA, beyond just gross wages. Hawaii beneficiaries should understand what the SSA evaluates:

• Gross wages: Your total earnings before taxes and deductions
• Net earnings from self-employment: Income after allowable business expenses
• Work performed: The nature and value of work, even if unpaid in some family business situations
• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): Costs directly related to enabling you to work despite your disability
• Subsidies and special conditions: When an employer provides more assistance than typical or pays more than the work is worth

Hawaii's unique economic environment means certain expenses may qualify as IRWE. For instance, if you require specialized transportation due to limited public transit options on your island, or need specific accommodations due to Hawaii's climate affecting your condition, these costs might be deductible from your earnings when calculating SGA.

Reporting Requirements and Practical Advice

SSDI beneficiaries in Hawaii have a legal obligation to report work activity to the SSA promptly. Failure to report work can result in overpayments that you will be required to repay, along with potential penalties. You should report when you start or stop work, and whenever your earnings change significantly.

The most reliable method is to submit reports through your my Social Security account online, though you can also report by phone or in person at a Social Security office. Hawaii has Social Security offices in Honolulu, Hilo, and other locations throughout the islands.

When considering part-time work while on SSDI, Hawaii beneficiaries should take these practical steps:

• Consult with a disability attorney or advocate before starting work to understand how it may affect your specific situation
• Keep detailed records of all earnings, work hours, and disability-related work expenses
• Report all work activity promptly to avoid overpayment issues
• Consider the impact on related benefits, such as Medicare, which continues for at least 93 months after the trial work period ends
• Request a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from Social Security to see your work history and TWP status
• Understand that state-specific programs in Hawaii may have different rules regarding work and income

The interaction between federal SSDI rules and Hawaii's high cost of living creates unique challenges. While the federal SGA limits remain the same nationwide, Hawaii residents may find these amounts insufficient to meet basic living expenses. Careful planning and understanding of all available work incentives becomes even more critical in this context.

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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