Working Part Time on SSDI in South Dakota
2/20/2026 | 1 min read
Working Part Time on SSDI in South Dakota
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides crucial financial support to individuals who cannot work due to qualifying disabilities. However, many SSDI beneficiaries in South Dakota wonder whether they can supplement their benefits through part-time employment without jeopardizing their disability status. The answer is yes, but with important limitations and requirements that must be carefully navigated.
Understanding the rules governing work activity while receiving SSDI benefits is essential for South Dakota residents who want to maintain their financial security while testing their ability to return to the workforce. The Social Security Administration has established specific programs and thresholds designed to encourage beneficiaries to attempt work without immediate loss of benefits.
Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity Limits
The Social Security Administration uses the concept of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether a beneficiary's work activity disqualifies them from SSDI benefits. For 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for those who are legally blind. These figures represent gross earnings before taxes and other deductions.
South Dakota SSDI beneficiaries must understand that these limits apply regardless of the number of hours worked. Whether you work five hours per week or twenty, what matters is your monthly earnings. If your gross monthly income consistently exceeds the SGA threshold, the Social Security Administration may determine that you are engaging in substantial gainful activity and terminate your benefits.
The SGA calculation considers only earned income from employment or self-employment. Investment income, interest, and other passive income sources do not count toward the SGA limit. For self-employed individuals in South Dakota, the calculation becomes more complex, as the SSA examines both net earnings and the value of your work activity in the business.
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 program allows you to work and earn any amount of income for up to nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month period without affecting your SSDI benefits.
During the Trial Work Period, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 (in 2024) counts as a trial work month. South Dakota beneficiaries should carefully track these months because once you exhaust your nine trial work months, the SGA limits become immediately applicable.
The Trial Work Period offers several advantages for South Dakota residents considering part-time employment:
- Your SSDI benefits continue at full amount regardless of earnings
- You maintain Medicare coverage throughout the period
- You can test different types of work without immediate consequences
- You gain valuable insight into your work capacity
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 time, you receive SSDI benefits for any month your earnings fall below the SGA threshold, but not for months when your earnings exceed it.
This protection provides significant flexibility for South Dakota beneficiaries whose work capacity fluctuates. If your disability causes some months to be more difficult than others, you can reduce your work hours during challenging periods without reapplying for benefits. Your SSDI eligibility remains active throughout the 36-month EPE.
The first month after your Trial Work Period ends in which you earn above the SGA level triggers what's called a "grace period" of three additional months of benefits, regardless of your earnings. This grace period ensures you have time to adjust to your new circumstances without immediate benefit termination.
Reporting Requirements and South Dakota Considerations
SSDI beneficiaries in South Dakota who begin working part-time have strict reporting obligations. You must report your work activity to the Social Security Administration promptly, generally within certain timeframes specified in your award letter. Failure to report work activity can result in overpayments that you must repay, along with potential penalties.
When reporting work activity, provide the SSA with detailed information including:
- Your employer's name and contact information
- Your job title and duties
- Your work schedule and hours
- Your gross monthly earnings
- The date you started working
South Dakota operates under federal SSDI guidelines, but state-specific factors may affect your situation. For instance, South Dakota does not have a state income tax, which means your take-home pay will differ from beneficiaries in other states. Additionally, if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to SSDI, South Dakota's lower cost of living in many areas may affect how far your combined benefits and earnings stretch.
Protecting Your SSDI Status While Working
Several strategies can help South Dakota SSDI beneficiaries successfully work part-time while protecting their disability status. First, consider utilizing work incentives programs that the SSA offers. The Ticket to Work program, available to South Dakota residents, provides access to free employment services, vocational rehabilitation, and other support without risking your benefits during participation.
Document everything related to your disability and work attempts. Keep records of medical treatments, doctor's notes about work restrictions, and any accommodations your employer provides. This documentation becomes crucial if the SSA ever reviews your continued eligibility for benefits.
Consider consulting with a vocational rehabilitation counselor or disability attorney before starting part-time work. These professionals can help you structure your work activity to maximize income while maintaining benefit eligibility. They can also advise on how Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) might reduce your countable income for SGA purposes.
If your disability requires special equipment, medications, or services that enable you to work, these costs may be deducted from your gross earnings when calculating SGA. For example, if you need specialized transportation to get to work due to your disability, those costs might be deductible.
Finally, maintain open communication with the Social Security Administration. When circumstances change—whether your health improves, deteriorates, or your work situation shifts—report these changes promptly. Transparency protects you from overpayment issues and demonstrates good faith compliance with program rules.
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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