Working Part Time on SSDI in North Dakota

Many Social Security Disability Insurance recipients in North Dakota wonder whether they can earn any income while receiving monthly benefits. The short answer is yes — but the rules are strict, and one misstep can trigger an overpayment demand or even termination of benefits. Understanding how the Social Security Administration evaluates work activity is essential before you accept even a single shift.

How the SSA Defines "Substantial Gainful Activity"

The Social Security Administration uses a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether a disability recipient is working at a level that disqualifies them from benefits. For 2025, the SGA threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for those who are blind under the SSA's definition.

If your gross earnings consistently exceed the SGA limit, the SSA will generally consider you no longer disabled regardless of your medical condition. This is true even if your doctor confirms you are still impaired. The monthly dollar amount — not the number of hours worked — drives the SGA analysis, though the SSA also looks at the nature of the work and the skills it requires.

For North Dakota residents employed in agriculture, energy, or other industries common to the region, be aware that in-kind compensation such as housing, meals, or use of equipment may also count toward SGA calculations. Always report non-cash compensation to your local SSA field office.

The Trial Work Period: Your Protected Window

The SSA provides a built-in safety net called the Trial Work Period (TWP), which allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work without immediately losing benefits. During the TWP, you receive full benefits regardless of how much you earn, as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment.

The TWP consists of nine months within any rolling 60-month window. A month counts as a TWP month in 2025 whenever your earnings exceed $1,110. These nine months do not need to be consecutive. Once you exhaust all nine TWP months, the SSA evaluates whether your earnings constitute SGA.

After the TWP ends, a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) begins. During the EPE, you receive benefits in any month your earnings fall below the SGA level, and benefits are suspended — not terminated — in months they exceed SGA. This provides important protection for North Dakota workers in seasonal industries where income fluctuates significantly from month to month.

Reporting Requirements for North Dakota SSDI Recipients

The SSA requires beneficiaries to report all work activity promptly. Failure to report earnings is one of the most common causes of overpayments, and the SSA can demand repayment of benefits received during any period you were technically ineligible. North Dakota recipients can report work activity in several ways:

• Online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov
• By phone at 1-800-772-1213
• In person at the Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, or Minot Social Security field offices
• By mailing a written report to your servicing field office

Report the month you start working, the name and address of your employer, the nature of your duties, and your gross monthly wages. If you are self-employed — a situation common among North Dakota farmers and contractors — the SSA uses a different analysis that looks at both net earnings and the number of hours you spend in the business.

Keep copies of every pay stub, bank deposit, and written communication you send to the SSA. If a dispute arises about whether you exceeded SGA in a given month, your documentation is the primary evidence you will use to defend your benefits.

Work Incentives That Can Reduce Countable Earnings

The SSA offers several programs that can reduce the earnings counted toward SGA, making it easier to work part time without jeopardizing your benefits.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) allow you to deduct the cost of items or services you need to work because of your disability. For example, if you use a wheelchair accessible vehicle to commute, pay for a job coach, or purchase specialized equipment required by your condition, those costs are deducted from your gross earnings before the SGA comparison. North Dakota recipients with long rural commutes to medical appointments that overlap with work obligations may find IRWEs particularly valuable.

Subsidies and Special Conditions apply when an employer provides you with extra supervision, modified duties, or other accommodations that make your job possible. If the value of your work to the employer is less than what you are paid, the SSA may reduce the earnings it counts toward SGA by the amount of the subsidy.

Ticket to Work is a voluntary SSA program that connects recipients with employment networks and state vocational rehabilitation agencies. North Dakota residents can work with Vocational Rehabilitation through the Department of Human Services. While participating in Ticket to Work, your disability review may be suspended, giving you additional protection while you transition back to employment.

What Happens If You Earn Too Much

If your earnings exceed the SGA threshold after your Trial Work Period ends, the SSA will send you a notice proposing to terminate your benefits. You have the right to appeal within 60 days of receiving the notice. During an appeal, you may request that your benefits continue while the case is reviewed — known as continuation of benefits pending appeal — though you may owe money back if you lose.

The SSA can also reopen prior decisions and assess overpayments going back multiple years if it determines you failed to properly report work activity. Overpayment amounts in the tens of thousands of dollars are not uncommon in cases involving unreported earnings over several years. If you receive an overpayment notice, request a waiver if you cannot afford to repay, or request a reconsideration if you believe the calculation is wrong.

North Dakota has no state supplement to federal SSDI, so your state-level exposure is more limited than in states that provide additional disability payments. However, if you also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) alongside SSDI, separate SSI earned income rules apply and can further complicate your situation.

Working part time while on SSDI is achievable, but it requires careful planning, consistent reporting, and a clear understanding of how every dollar you earn is counted. The consequences of getting it wrong — overpayments, benefit termination, and lengthy appeals — are serious enough to warrant professional guidance before you start any job.

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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