Working Part Time on SSDI in Idaho: What to Know

Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits does not automatically bar you from working. Many Idaho residents on SSDI work part-time hours to supplement their income, maintain a sense of purpose, or test whether they can re-enter the workforce. However, the rules governing this arrangement are precise, and a misstep can jeopardize your monthly benefits. Understanding exactly how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates part-time work is essential before you accept a single paycheck.

Substantial Gainful Activity: The Core Threshold

The SSA uses a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether your work disqualifies you from SSDI. In 2026, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 per month for those who are blind. If your gross monthly earnings exceed the applicable limit, the SSA may determine you are no longer disabled, regardless of your medical condition.

For Idaho residents working part-time, the SGA threshold is what matters most. Your wage, not the number of hours you work, is the primary measurement. A few extra shifts in a given month could push you over the line. It is critical to track your income every month, not just your scheduled hours, because overtime, bonuses, and tips all count toward the SGA calculation.

The SSA may also consider work activity that is not directly compensated. If you help manage a family business in Boise, assist a spouse with their commercial operations in Idaho Falls, or perform significant volunteer services, the SSA can assign a dollar value to those contributions and apply it toward the SGA limit.

The Trial Work Period: Nine Months of Exploration

Before the SSA permanently reviews your benefit eligibility, it provides a safety net called the Trial Work Period (TWP). The TWP gives SSDI recipients nine months — which do not have to be consecutive — within a rolling 60-month window to test their ability to work without immediately losing benefits.

In 2026, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 counts as a trial work month. During those nine months, you continue to receive your full SSDI payment no matter how much you earn, as long as you report your work activity to the SSA and your disability has not otherwise improved. This period is particularly valuable for Idaho residents who are unsure whether their condition will allow sustained employment.

Once you exhaust all nine trial work months, the SSA enters an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) — a 36-month window during which your benefits can be reinstated in any month your earnings fall below the SGA threshold, without filing a new application. This provides meaningful protection for people whose part-time work is inconsistent due to flare-ups, seasonal employment, or fluctuating hours.

Reporting Requirements for Idaho SSDI Recipients

One of the most common — and costly — mistakes Idaho SSDI recipients make is failing to promptly report work activity to the SSA. Federal law requires you to report:

• Any new job or self-employment, even part-time or casual work
• Changes in your pay rate or hours worked
• The start or end of self-employment activity
• Receipt of any special pay, bonuses, or in-kind compensation

You can report work activity online through your my Social Security account, by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local SSA field office. Idaho has offices in Boise, Nampa, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Coeur d'Alene, and Twin Falls.

Failure to report timely can result in benefit overpayments, which the SSA will demand back — often in full. Overpayment notices can arrive months or even years after the fact, creating a financial crisis for people who had no idea they were receiving money they were not entitled to. Idaho residents who receive an overpayment notice have the right to request a waiver or appeal, but preventing the problem through timely reporting is always preferable.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Income Deductions

Idaho SSDI recipients who work part-time may be able to reduce their countable income for SGA purposes by deducting Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs). IRWEs are costs you pay out of pocket for items or services that your disability requires you to purchase in order to work — costs that a non-disabled coworker would not need to incur.

Common IRWEs include:

• Prescription medications needed to manage symptoms while working
• Specialized transportation if you cannot use standard commuting options
• Attendant care services required at the workplace
• Prosthetics, wheelchairs, or assistive devices used on the job
• Modifications to your vehicle for disability-related driving needs

If you pay $300 per month for a medication that allows you to function at work, that amount can be subtracted from your gross earnings before the SSA applies the SGA test. This deduction can make the difference between keeping and losing your benefits. You must document these expenses carefully and submit receipts or prescription records when requested.

Special Rules for Self-Employment in Idaho

Idaho has a significant self-employment sector, and many SSDI recipients attempt to work for themselves on a part-time basis — through farming, freelance services, online commerce, or contracting. The SSA applies a more nuanced analysis to self-employment than to traditional wage work.

For self-employed individuals, the SSA uses three separate tests to evaluate SGA: the Countable Income Test, the Significant Services and Substantial Income Test, and the Comparability Test. Net earnings alone do not always determine the outcome. The SSA looks at whether your services to your business are significant in terms of time and energy, and whether those services are comparable to what a non-disabled person would provide in a similar business.

Self-employed Idaho residents can also deduct business expenses, unpaid help from others, and IRWEs before the SGA calculation is applied. Keeping detailed records — including time logs, invoices, and expense receipts — is not optional. It is the foundation of any successful argument that your self-employment income does not constitute SGA.

What Happens If You Go Over the SGA Limit

If your earnings exceed the SGA threshold after your Trial Work Period ends, the SSA will initiate a Cessation of Benefits. You will receive a notice and have the opportunity to appeal. Idaho recipients who disagree with a cessation determination should immediately request a reconsideration and, if necessary, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

During the appeal process, you may be able to request that your benefits continue while the appeal is pending — known as continued benefits pending appeal. This can provide critical financial support during what is often a lengthy review process. An attorney familiar with SSDI law can help you document your expenses, gather medical evidence, and present the strongest possible case.

Part-time work and SSDI can coexist, but the rules demand careful, ongoing attention. A single month of overlooked reporting or unanticipated overtime can create consequences that take years to resolve.

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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