Working Part Time on Disability in Kansas

Many Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients in Kansas wonder whether they can work part-time while receiving benefits. The answer is yes, but with significant limitations and requirements. Understanding these rules is critical to maintaining your benefits while supplementing your income through part-time employment.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that some individuals receiving disability benefits may want to test their ability to return to work or may be able to perform limited work activities. However, the fundamental requirement for SSDI eligibility is that you cannot engage in what the SSA calls "substantial gainful activity" (SGA). Balancing work and disability benefits requires careful attention to income thresholds, reporting requirements, and SSA work incentive programs.

Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity Limits

The cornerstone of SSDI eligibility is your inability to engage in substantial gainful activity. For 2024, the SSA defines SGA as earning more than $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals. These amounts are gross earnings before taxes and deductions.

If your part-time work in Kansas causes you to exceed these monthly earnings thresholds, the SSA may determine that you are no longer disabled and terminate your benefits. This determination applies regardless of whether you work one job or multiple part-time positions. The SSA looks at your total monthly earnings from all sources of employment.

However, the SSA does not count all earnings toward the SGA limit. The agency allows certain deductions, including:

• Impairment-related work expenses (IRWE) for items or services you need to work due to your disability
• Unincurred business expenses if you are self-employed
• Subsidy payments or special assistance you receive from your employer
• Costs for attendant care services needed for work

These deductions can potentially allow Kansas residents to earn more than the SGA threshold while maintaining SSDI eligibility. Proper documentation of these expenses is essential.

Trial Work Period Protections

The SSA provides a valuable safety net called the Trial Work Period (TWP) that allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work for at least nine months without losing benefits, regardless of earnings. This period does not need to be consecutive; any month in which you earn more than $1,110 (for 2024) counts as a trial work month.

During your TWP, you continue receiving full SSDI benefits even if your earnings exceed the SGA threshold. This gives Kansas residents receiving disability benefits the opportunity to determine whether they can sustain employment without immediately risking their benefits.

After completing nine trial work months within a rolling 60-month period, you enter an Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) that lasts for 36 months. During the EPE, you receive benefits for any month your earnings fall below the SGA level. If your earnings exceed SGA, benefits stop for that month, but you can receive benefits again in subsequent months if your earnings drop below SGA without filing a new application.

Reporting Requirements for Kansas SSDI Recipients

Kansas residents receiving SSDI benefits who begin working part-time must report this activity to the Social Security Administration promptly. Failing to report work activity can result in overpayments that you will be required to repay, potentially with penalties.

You should report your work activity when you:

• Start or stop working
• Experience changes in your work duties or hours
• Receive a pay increase or decrease
• Begin self-employment activities

Report work activity by contacting your local Kansas Social Security office, calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or submitting information online through your my Social Security account. Keep detailed records of all wages, pay stubs, and communications with the SSA regarding your work activity.

The SSA may conduct work continuing disability reviews (CDRs) more frequently when you report work activity. These reviews assess whether your medical condition has improved and whether you can engage in SGA. Cooperation with these reviews is mandatory to maintain benefits.

Additional Work Incentive Programs

Beyond the Trial Work Period, the SSA offers several work incentive programs that Kansas SSDI recipients should understand:

Expedited Reinstatement: If your benefits terminate due to earnings above SGA but you stop working or reduce your earnings within five years, you can request expedited reinstatement of benefits without filing a new application. You receive up to six months of temporary benefits while the SSA processes your request.

Ticket to Work: This voluntary program connects SSDI recipients with free employment services, vocational rehabilitation, and other support services. Participation provides additional continuing disability review protections while you work toward self-sufficiency.

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): Though more commonly associated with Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SSDI recipients who also receive SSI may use a PASS to set aside income or resources for work-related goals, education, or starting a business.

Special Considerations for Kansas Residents

While SSDI is a federal program with uniform rules across all states, Kansas residents should be aware of how part-time work might affect state-level benefits they may receive. Kansas offers various assistance programs for individuals with disabilities, and working part-time could impact eligibility for:

• Kansas Medicaid programs
• Food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Housing assistance programs
• State vocational rehabilitation services

Kansas has Social Security offices in major cities including Wichita, Overland Park, Topeka, and Kansas City, where you can receive in-person assistance with questions about working while receiving disability benefits. Many offices require appointments, which can be scheduled by phone or online.

If you receive SSDI benefits and want to attempt part-time work in Kansas, consider consulting with a disability attorney before making significant changes to your employment status. An experienced attorney can help you understand how your specific circumstances might affect your benefits and develop a strategy to maximize your income while protecting your SSDI eligibility.

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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