By Justus Scout
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you might still be able to earn some income without losing your benefits. But both programs have specific rules and limits. As an attorney who has spent years helping clients get approved for disability benefits, I know how often this issue causes confusion. The good news is, you can work and still receive benefits—but only up to a certain point.
At law Firm, we help individuals prepare and file for the Social Security Disability benefits they deserve and understand how their income may affect their benefits. We also explain how you can still work and remain eligible for your full SSDI benefits or partial SSI benefits.
How Much Can You Earn While on SSDI in 2025?
If you receive SSDI, you can earn up to $1,620 per month in 2025 before your benefits may be affected. This figure is known as Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA. For blind individuals, the limit is higher—$2,700 per month. If your income exceeds these levels, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may consider that you’re capable of engaging in competitive employment, and your monthly disability benefits could stop.
It’s important to remember that not all income counts toward SGA. For example, disability-related work expenses and certain employer subsidies may reduce the amount the SSA counts. Still, once your earnings consistently exceed the SGA limit, your eligibility for monthly benefits could be questioned. We’ve helped many clients at law Firm sort through these details to ensure their benefits aren’t unintentionally placed at risk.
What About Income Limits for SSI in 2025?
If you’re on SSI, the rules are different. SSI is a needs-based program, so the SSA limits how much income you can have from any source, not just employment. In 2025, if your income is solely from working, you may earn up to $2,019 and still remain eligible for SSI benefits. If your income is NOT from wages, then you may only receive up to $987 before your benefits will be affected. The 2025 federal benefit rate for SSI is $943 per month for individuals and $1,415 for couples. If your countable income exceeds the allowable thresholds, your benefit amount will be reduced, and in some cases, it could stop altogether.
That said, not all income is counted. The SSA excludes the first $20 of any income and the first $65 of earned income, along with half of your remaining earned income. This means you can work and still receive SSI, but your benefit amount will decrease as your earnings increase. At law Firm, we routinely work with clients to calculate exactly how their income will affect their SSI payments, taking full advantage of every applicable exclusion.
What Is the Trial Work Period, and How Does It Affect SSDI?
The Trial Work Period (TWP) is a special program that allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work without immediately losing benefits. In 2025, any month in which you earn more than $1,160 counts as a trial work month. You can have up to nine trial work months within a rolling 60-month period. During these months, you’ll continue receiving your full SSDI benefit regardless of how much you earn.
Once you’ve used all nine months, the SSA will look at your earnings to see if you are engaging in SGA. If so, your benefits may stop, but not right away. That’s where the Extended Period of Eligibility comes in. At law Firm, we often guide clients through the Trial Work Period so they don’t unknowingly trigger a benefit suspension.
What Happens During the Extended Period of Eligibility?
After your Trial Work Period ends, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this time, the SSA will monitor your earnings closely. In any month where you earn less than the SGA limit—$1,550 in 2025—you can still receive your SSDI benefits. In any month where your income exceeds that threshold, your benefits will be suspended, but not terminated.
The EPE gives you a safety net. You don’t have to reapply for benefits if your work attempt doesn’t succeed, as long as you remain disabled. At law Firm, we find that many clients are relieved to learn that they have this protection, especially when re-entering the workforce after a long period of disability.
What Income Doesn’t Count Toward SSI Limits?
The SSA excludes certain types of income when calculating your SSI eligibility. These include the first $20 of monthly income (earned or unearned), the first $65 of earned income, and half of the remaining earned income. Other exclusions may apply for irregular or infrequent income, food stamps, and certain forms of assistance from state or local government programs.
Gifts from friends and relatives, if used for basic needs like food or shelter, may still count. But the rules are detailed and often misunderstood. At law Firm, we review our clients’ full financial picture to explain what counts and what doesn’t under SSI rules.
How Can Law Firm Help You Understand Your Options?
Whether you’re newly approved and unsure about work limits or have been receiving disability benefits for years and want to test the waters again, we can help. Reach out to law Firm today, and let us explain your rights and opportunities clearly, so you can move forward with confidence.
