Working Part Time on Disability in Maryland

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

Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity Limits

The Social Security Administration uses a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether your work activity is compatible with receiving SSDI benefits. For 2024, the SGA threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for those who are statutorily blind. These figures represent gross income before taxes and deductions.

If your monthly earnings exceed the SGA limit, the SSA generally considers you capable of substantial gainful activity, which could result in termination of your SSDI benefits. Maryland residents must adhere to these federal guidelines, as SSDI is a federal program administered uniformly across all states.

However, the SSA does not simply look at your gross earnings. They may deduct certain expenses related to your disability when calculating whether you have engaged in SGA. These deductions, known as Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), can include costs for medications, medical devices, transportation to medical appointments, and certain assistive technology required for work.

The Trial Work Period: Your Safety Net

One of the most valuable protections for SSDI beneficiaries who want to test their ability to work is the Trial Work Period (TWP). This provision allows you to work and earn any amount for up to nine months within a rolling 60-month period without losing your SSDI benefits, regardless of your earnings.

For 2024, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 or work more than 80 self-employed hours counts as a trial work month. The nine months do not need to be consecutive. During your trial work period, you continue to receive full SSDI benefits regardless of how much you earn, providing a crucial opportunity to determine whether you can sustain employment.

Maryland residents should carefully track their trial work months, as this is a one-time benefit within each period of disability. Once you exhaust your nine trial work months, different rules apply to your continued employment.

The Extended Period of Eligibility

After completing your trial work period, you enter what the SSA calls the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which lasts for 36 consecutive months. During this period, you can work and receive benefits for any month your earnings fall below the SGA threshold.

If your earnings exceed SGA levels during the EPE, your benefits will be suspended but not terminated. Should your income drop below SGA again within the 36-month window—perhaps due to reduced hours or medical complications—your benefits can be reinstated immediately without filing a new application. This provision provides significant flexibility for Maryland workers whose conditions may fluctuate or who need to adjust their work schedules.

After the 36-month EPE ends, if you continue earning above SGA levels, your SSDI benefits will terminate. However, you may be eligible for Expedited Reinstatement if you stop working within five years due to your disability.

Reporting Requirements and Consequences of Non-Compliance

SSDI beneficiaries in Maryland have a legal obligation to report work activity to the Social Security Administration promptly. You must notify the SSA when you:

• Start or stop working
• Experience changes in your work duties or hours
• Receive changes in pay or benefits
• Experience changes in work expenses related to your disability

Failure to report work activity can result in serious consequences, including overpayment of benefits that you must repay, civil penalties, and potential criminal prosecution for fraud in severe cases. The SSA regularly cross-references beneficiary records with employer wage reports, so unreported work will likely be discovered.

Maryland residents should report work activity by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, visiting their local Social Security office in cities such as Baltimore, Rockville, or Silver Spring, or submitting information online through their my Social Security account.

Strategic Considerations for Part-Time Work

Before accepting part-time employment while receiving SSDI in Maryland, consider these strategic factors:

Document everything: Maintain detailed records of your work hours, earnings, and any disability-related work expenses. This documentation proves invaluable if questions arise about your SGA status or if you need to claim IRWE deductions.

Communicate with your employer: Ensure your employer understands any workplace accommodations you need due to your disability. Maryland follows the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations.

Consider the Medicare implications: SSDI beneficiaries who have received benefits for 24 months qualify for Medicare. If your benefits terminate due to work activity, you can continue Medicare coverage for at least 93 months after your trial work period ends by paying premiums. This extended Medicare eligibility provides crucial health insurance continuity.

Consult with a disability attorney: The rules governing work activity while receiving SSDI are complex and subject to individual circumstances. An experienced Maryland disability attorney can evaluate your specific situation, help you maximize allowable income through IRWE deductions, and ensure you remain compliant with reporting requirements.

Part-time work while receiving SSDI benefits in Maryland is possible and can provide both financial benefits and personal fulfillment. However, navigating the regulations requires careful attention to earning limits, proper use of trial work periods, and diligent reporting. Understanding these rules protects your benefits while allowing you to explore your capacity for work.

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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