Can I work while on SSDI in Massachusetts?
By Hogan Smith
Updated 07/17/2025
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in Massachusetts, you may be wondering whether you can still work and how it will affect your benefits. The good news is that SSA allows some work activity under specific rules to support beneficiaries transitioning back into the workforce.
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Working While Receiving SSDI: The Basics
The Social Security Administration has programs designed to help you test your ability to work without immediately losing your benefits. These include:
1. The Trial Work Period (TWP)
The Trial Work Period (TWP) allows you to work for up to 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) within a 60-month period while still receiving your full SSDI benefits, regardless of how much you earn.
For 2025, any month you earn more than $1,110 (the TWP amount for 2025) counts as a trial work month.
Key points:
- You can work and earn as much as you want during these 9 months without affecting your SSDI benefits.
- SSA uses this period to see if you’re capable of substantial work.
2. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
After completing your Trial Work Period, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which lasts 36 months.
During the EPE:
- You will continue receiving SSDI benefits for any month in which your earnings are below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level.
- In 2025, SGA is $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if you are blind).
- If your earnings exceed SGA, SSA may suspend your benefits for that month, but you remain eligible for quick reinstatement if your income drops below SGA again within the EPE.
3. Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
If you work while on SSDI, SSA may conduct a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) to assess whether your medical condition still qualifies as disabling. It’s important to:
- Keep detailed records of your work activity, income, and any accommodations you receive from your employer.
4. Expedited Reinstatement
If your SSDI benefits stop because you are working and earning above SGA but you later become unable to work again within five years, you may qualify for Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) without needing to reapply from scratch.
Important Things to Remember
- Always report your earnings to SSA monthly to avoid overpayments or penalties.
- Working part-time or earning below TWP and SGA thresholds will not immediately end your benefits, but accurate reporting is critical.
- Consult with your doctor before returning to work to ensure it aligns with your health condition and treatment plan.
How Hogan Smith Can Help
At Hogan Smith, we understand how confusing SSA work rules can be. Our experienced team can:
- Review your work plans to ensure you remain compliant with SSA earnings limits.
- Help report your income accurately to avoid benefit disruptions or overpayments.
- Advise you on the impact of working while on SSDI to protect your financial security.
Contact Hogan Smith Today
If you are receiving SSDI in Massachusetts and want to know how working might affect your benefits, contact Hogan Smith today for a free consultation. We’re here to guide you through every aspect of your SSDI journey and ensure you make the best decisions for your health and income.
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