Working Part Time On Disability New Mexico

Working Part Time on SSDI in New Mexico

Many Social Security Disability Insurance recipients in New Mexico wonder whether earning any income will automatically end their benefits. The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Federal rules allow SSDI recipients to work under specific conditions, and understanding those rules can mean the difference between keeping your benefits and losing them unexpectedly.

What Is Substantial Gainful Activity?

The Social Security Administration uses a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether your work disqualifies you from SSDI. For 2025, the SGA threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals. If your gross earnings consistently exceed these limits, SSA may determine you are no longer disabled under their rules.

Earning below the SGA threshold does not automatically guarantee your benefits are safe — SSA evaluates the nature and hours of your work as well — but staying below the monthly limit is a critical first step for New Mexico workers trying to maintain SSDI while earning supplemental income.

It is important to understand that SGA applies to wages from employment, not passive income like investment returns or rental income. If you receive rental payments from property you own in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, for example, that typically does not count toward SGA unless you are actively managing the property in a business capacity.

The Trial Work Period Explained

Federal law provides SSDI recipients with a Trial Work Period (TWP) — one of the most important and underutilized protections available. During the TWP, you can work and earn any amount for up to nine months within a rolling 60-month window without losing your SSDI benefits, regardless of how much you earn.

For 2025, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 counts as a trial work month. Once you have used all nine trial work months, SSA will evaluate whether your earnings exceed SGA. At that point, your case enters what is called the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) — a 36-month window during which benefits can be reinstated quickly if your earnings drop below SGA again.

New Mexico residents should document their earnings carefully during the TWP. Keep pay stubs, direct deposit records, and correspondence with your employer. If you are self-employed — common in rural New Mexico communities — SSA applies additional tests to evaluate your work activity beyond just income.

Reporting Work Activity to Social Security

One of the most serious mistakes SSDI recipients make is failing to report work activity promptly. SSA requires you to report any work, including part-time and seasonal employment, as soon as you begin. Failing to do so can result in overpayment demands — sometimes totaling thousands of dollars — and in cases of deliberate concealment, potential fraud investigations.

You can report work activity to SSA in several ways:

• Call SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213
• Visit the Albuquerque Social Security field office at 500 Gold Ave SW or any New Mexico SSA office
• Report online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov
• Submit written notification by certified mail to your local SSA office

Keep a record of every report you make — date, time, representative name, and confirmation number if available. This documentation protects you if SSA later claims they were not notified.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses and Subsidies

New Mexico workers often overlook deductions that can reduce their countable earnings under SSA rules. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) allow you to deduct costs directly related to your disability that you pay in order to work. Common examples include:

• Prescription medications needed to manage your condition
• Medical equipment such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, or specialized tools
• Transportation costs if your disability prevents you from using standard transit
• Personal attendant care services required for you to get to work
• Co-pays for therapy or medical appointments that allow you to maintain work capacity

If your employer provides a subsidy — meaning they pay you more than the reasonable value of the work you actually perform due to your disability — SSA may reduce your countable earnings to reflect only the work's market value. This situation arises most often when a compassionate employer or family business accommodates a disabled worker with reduced productivity expectations.

These deductions can bring your gross earnings below SGA even if your paycheck suggests otherwise. A disability attorney familiar with New Mexico SSA procedures can help you document and submit these deductions properly.

When Part-Time Work Triggers a Review

Beginning any work while on SSDI almost always triggers a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). SSA uses CDRs to verify that recipients still meet the medical definition of disability. While a CDR is not automatically a crisis, it does mean your entire case file will be re-examined — including your medical records and functional capacity.

For New Mexico recipients, it is advisable to ensure your medical treatment is current before and during any period of employment. SSA reviewers look for consistent treatment with licensed providers. Gaps in care — particularly in rural New Mexico counties where access to specialists can be limited — sometimes raise questions about the severity of a continuing disability.

If SSA determines during a CDR that your condition has improved and you are capable of SGA, they will issue a cessation notice. You have the right to appeal that decision, and you may continue receiving benefits during the appeal process if you file a timely request for reconsideration. Acting quickly after receiving any SSA notice is essential — missing a 60-day appeal deadline can forfeit your right to challenge the decision.

New Mexico also participates in the federal Ticket to Work program, which connects SSDI recipients with state vocational rehabilitation services and approved employment networks. Participating in Ticket to Work can provide additional protections against CDRs while you test your ability to 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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