Social Security pays disability benefits to people who can’t work because they have a medical condition that’s expected to last at least 1 year or result in death, as well as disability benefits through 2 programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

Jack Myers with Social Security reminds SSDI is for those who have worked and paid enough into Social Security to be “insured” for disability benefits. At the same time, SSI is a needs-based program that does not require a history of paying into Social Security. 

 According to Myers, SSI has income and resource limits. 

After you start receiving SSDI benefits, you may want to try working again. Social Security has special rules called Work Incentives that allow you to test your ability to work and still receive monthly disability benefits. Myers notes there are some SSDI Work Incentives.

Myers explains after your trial work period, you have 36 months during which you can work and still receive benefits for any month your earnings aren’t “substantial.”

Benefits may stop because of substantial earnings; however, Myers points out you have 5 years to ask us to restart your benefits if you’re unable to keep working because of your condition. 

If your Social Security disability benefits stop because of your earnings, and you still have a disability, your free Medicare Part A coverage will continue. Your Medicare Part A coverage will continue for at least 93 months after the 9-month trial work period. 

For more info, please check out the publication called the “Red Book” at www.ssa.gov.