If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in Oklahoma, you may be wondering whether you can work without losing your benefits. The good news is that SSA allows you to work under specific rules, but it’s crucial to understand the limits to avoid unintentionally jeopardizing your monthly payments.
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1. Working While Receiving SSDI: The Basics
SSDI is designed for individuals who cannot engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to disability. However, SSA recognizes that many people want to try working again, so it offers work incentives to support your return to employment without immediately cutting off benefits.
2. Trial Work Period (TWP)
- SSA provides a Trial Work Period (TWP) where you can test your ability to work for nine months within a rolling 60-month (five-year) period.
- During TWP, you can earn any amount of income without losing your SSDI benefits.
- In 2025, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 (TWP threshold) counts toward your nine TWP months.
3. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
After you finish your TWP:
- You enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE).
- During this time, you will receive SSDI benefits for any month your earnings are below the SGA limit, which is $1,620 per month in 2025 for non-blind individuals, and $2,700 per month for blind individuals.
- If you earn above the SGA limit, benefits are suspended for that month but can be reinstated if earnings drop below SGA within the EPE window.
4. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limit
- The SGA limit is the maximum monthly amount you can earn and still be considered disabled by SSA.
- For 2025, SGA is $1,620 per month for most recipients, and $2,700 for blind individuals.
5. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)
If you have disability-related expenses needed to work, such as medical equipment, transportation services, or personal assistance, you can deduct these costs from your income to lower your countable earnings under SSA’s rules.
6. What Happens If You Exceed SGA Outside Work Incentives?
If you earn above the SGA limit outside your TWP or after EPE, SSA may consider that you are no longer disabled, leading to the termination of your SSDI benefits. However, if your condition worsens within five years, Expedited Reinstatement allows you to restart benefits without filing a new application.
7. Reporting Work Activity
It is essential to report all work activity and income to SSA, including:
- Start and stop dates of employment
- Monthly gross earnings
- Work-related expenses related to your disability
Failing to report earnings can result in overpayments or penalties.
How Hogan Smith Can Help You
At Hogan Smith, we guide Oklahoma residents through SSDI work rules to ensure you:
- Understand work incentives and how they protect your benefits
- Calculate income accurately with IRWE deductions
- Report earnings correctly to SSA to avoid penalties
- Plan a safe return to work while maintaining financial stability
Contact Hogan Smith Today
If you’re thinking about working while on SSDI in Oklahoma and want to ensure your benefits remain secure, contact Hogan Smith today for a free consultation. We’ll help you navigate SSA’s rules with confidence.
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