Ticket to Work Program for SSDI or SSI Recipients

The Ticket to Work Program helps individuals with disabilities return to employment without jeopardizing their health insurance coverage or cash benefits. It primarily serves people receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Many people with disabilities who are receiving disability benefits fear losing crucial support if they seek employment.

If you’re thinking about returning to work but feel overwhelmed by questions about how it could affect your benefits, seeking legal help is a good idea. A Social Security disability attorney can help explain how the Ticket to Work program applies to your case. They can also assist you in making informed decisions about employment without jeopardizing the benefits.

Can I Work While Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits?

You can indeed work while receiving Social Security disability benefits. This option is available through programs like the Trial Work Period and the Ticket to Work Program. The Social Security Administration offers work programs that allow you to test your ability to work. These programs are there to let you look for work without risking losing your benefits.

Understanding the Ticket to Work Program

The Ticket to Work Program is a free and voluntary employment initiative. This program supports career development for individuals aged 18 to 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

The Ticket Program makes it relatively easy for SSDI and some SSI participants to return to work without losing their benefits.

The program offers the following provisions:

• Ability to immediately return to monthly benefits if you cannot continue working
• Ability to continue receiving healthcare benefits
• No requirement for a medical continuing disability review (CDR) while participating in the Ticket to Work program

The program connects participants with support and referrals to employment services. These services can help them succeed in finding and maintaining employment.

What Happens If I Go Back To Work After Starting Social Security Disability?

Your ability to return to work while maintaining benefits depends on which type of disability benefits you receive. Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income each have distinct rules governing employment and earnings. Let’s take a look at both:

Returning To Work With SSDI Benefits

If you are a Social Security Disability beneficiary, you can test your ability to work through a Trial Work Period. This protection allows you to work for at least nine months while continuing to receive your full SSDI benefits. Your earnings level does not matter during this time. However, as an SSDI beneficiary, you must report all work activity to Social Security. You must also continue meeting the agency’s disability criteria based on your medical condition.

In 2026, Social Security counts a month as a Trial Work Period service month if either of the following occurs:

• You earn $1,210 or more
• If you are self-employed and work more than 80 hours during that month

Your Trial Work Period continues until you’ve accumulated nine service months within a rolling 60-month period. These months don’t need to be consecutive.

After you complete your Trial Work Period, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility. During this phase, Social Security evaluates your work and earnings. They use this evaluation to determine whether your work constitutes substantial gainful activity (SGA), which determines your ongoing eligibility for benefits.

Substantial Gainful Activity With a Disability

In 2026, substantial gainful activity is $1,690 monthly for individuals who are not blind. For individuals who meet Social Security’s definition of blindness, the amount is $2,830.

Throughout your Extended Period of Eligibility, you continue receiving benefits for any month when your earnings stay below the SGA level. If you exceed the monthly earnings limit during the Extended Period of Eligibility, you won’t receive a disability payment for that particular month.

Social Security may determine that your work makes up substantial gainful activity after your Trial Work Period ends. When this happens, they will pay for the month your disability benefits ceased. They will also pay benefits for the following two months as a grace period. If your earnings later drop below SGA while you are still within the 36-month re-entitlement period, Social Security can reinstate your benefits. You will not be required to file a new application.

Returning To Work With SSI Benefits

SSI beneficiaries are not eligible to use Trial Work Periods. However, Social Security provides other supports when you are ready to look for a job. SSI beneficiaries can participate in the Ticket to Work Program. This allows them to receive free employment services and job training. It also helps SSI beneficiaries connect with service providers who can assist them in preparing for or finding employment.

Social Security uses a specific computation to protect your benefits when you start earning income. For example, they disregard the initial $20 of any income you receive. Next, they exclude the first $65 of earnings. Finally, the remaining earned income is divided by two to determine countable income. This means the government gradually decreases your SSI cash benefits as your income increases. They do not stop your benefits all at once after you reach a certain earnings level.

You can speak with a benefits counselor or Social Security attorney to learn more about your options. They can provide advice particularly tailored to the circumstances surrounding your case.

What Are the Most Hours You Can Work While on SSDI or SSI?

Social Security does not establish specific hour limits on how much you can work while receiving disability benefits. Work may qualify as substantial even when performed on a part-time schedule. Instead, Social Security primarily focuses on your monthly earnings. They also look at whether your work constitutes substantial gainful activity. Social Security takes into account the nature of your impairment.

What Are Some of the Restrictions on Working When on Social Security Disability?

Social Security encourages beneficiaries to explore work through various work incentives. However, certain restrictions and requirements exist. These restrictions are there to protect you and the disability program.

Earnings Limitations After Trial Work Period

When you continue working while receiving benefits, your condition must restrict you from earning income above a certain amount. Social Security designates this amount as substantial gainful activity.

Reporting Requirements

One of the most critical restrictions involves mandatory reporting of work activity and earnings. As an SSDI recipient, you should notify the SSA whenever a change occurs that could impact your benefits. This includes situations where your health improves, you return to work, or you become self-employed. Reporting your wages to Social Security helps you avoid benefit overpayments.

Continuing Disability Requirements

Social Security reviews your case periodically to verify that you continue to be eligible for disability benefits. You will continue to receive your benefits if your health hasn’t improved. You will also keep receiving benefits when your disability continues preventing you from working.

How To Get Started

Anyone interested in participating in the program should call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). You can also visit the SSA Find Help website, where you will be directed toward various employment services resources in your area. No formal registration is required, as the service provider you select will verify your eligibility by contacting SSA. As a ticket holder, you’ll have access to various employment services designed to help you achieve your employment goals.

There are two main types of providers under contract with the SSA to provide free services to SSDI and certain SSI recipients:

• Employment Networks (EN): ENs provide career counseling, job placement, and continued support once you start your new job
• State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (VR): VRs are geared toward helping people who need to retrain for a new career or need more extensive services than those provided by ENs

Employment support services through Ticket to Work are available both remotely and in person. This provides you with flexibility in accessing assistance. However, please note that SSA does not control the Employment Network Benefit Counseling services listed on the site. SSA is also not affiliated with these services. They do not assume liability or responsibility for the actions of these agents.

Disputes and Denied Benefits

While this program is built to protect benefits, errors may occur — whether on the part of the SSA, the employer, or the benefits recipient. Sometimes, a recipient could face a problem with their benefits as a result. Social Security lawyers are ready to step in quickly to address these issues.

You may want to get legal help for issues such as:

• Inaccurate or missing information about your work
• Unreported or underreported wages
• Sudden loss of benefits after starting or completing the program
• Disability discrimination in your workplace
• Requesting reasonable accommodations for your trial work period
• Complications with balancing multiple types of benefits, such as Medicaid and Medicare coverage

An attorney can help you request reconsideration, provide more documentation, and correct mistakes. You can also speak to a lawyer about employment law issues related to your job.

Confused About the Ticket to Work Program? An Attorney Can Help

If you’re returning to work after being on disability, you’re probably anxious about your financial future. What if the job doesn’t work out or pay you enough to get by?

There’s a lot at stake, and sometimes it’s best to discuss these matters with a legal professional. If you have questions about the SSDI‘s Ticket to Work program, contact an experienced Social Security disability attorney near you today.