Social Security safety nets provide ways to work and still have support

Many people who get disability benefits worry about trying to work. They are afraid they will lose their benefits right away if they take a job. But Social Security has rules, or “safety nets,” that let people try working without risking their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Each program has its own rules that support work.

SSI
Working may reduce or even stop SSI payments, but rules called “income exclusions” make sure people always have more money when they work than if they only rely on SSI. Social Security counts less than half of a person’s monthly wages when deciding how much the SSI check should be.

Another rule, called 1619(b), allows people to restart SSI if they stop working or cut back their hours. It also lets most people keep Medicaid while working, as long as certain conditions are met:

• They must still be disabled.
• They need Medicaid so they can work.
• They must have less than $2,000 in savings.

Most people also need to earn below a limit. In Rhode Island, in 2025 this limit is $43,226, but people with very high medical costs may be allowed to earn more.

SSDI
SSDI has three phases of protection:

• Phase I: Trial Work Period
  For nine months, people can earn any amount and still get their full SSDI check. In 2025, only months with earnings of $1,160 or more count toward the nine months. For those who have low earnings, the Trial Work Period can last much longer than nine months.
• Phase II: Extended Period of Eligibility (36 months)
  For the next 36 months, SSDI checks continue as long as earnings stay below “Substantial Gainful Activity” or SGA. In 2025, SGA means $1,620 a month, though some people can earn more due to special rules. If checks stop because of work at SGA level, they can restart if earnings drop before the 36 months end. We will discuss SGA in more detail in the future.
• Phase III: After EPE
  If someone is working at SGA level after Phase II, SSDI payments will end. If not, benefits continue until the person works at SGA or their medical condition improves. Even if payments end, benefits can restart through Expedited (Easy) Reinstatement if requested within 60 months, which is five years.

These three phases give people years to test if they can work enough to become self-sufficient. Those who can’t still might be able to work a little to supplement their SSDI benefits.

Medicare
There is also a special rule to protect Medicare, the health insurance you get after two years on SSDI. Medicare continues while you get your SSDI checks. Even if SSDI stops because of work at SGA level, premium-free Medicare Part A lasts for at least 93 months (seven years and nine months) after the Trial Work Period. Some may still qualify for help with Medicare Part A costs after that.

Medicaid
If you have Medicaid and worry about losing it because you work, there is good news! Rhode Island has a Medicaid Buy-In program called “Ticket to Work Medicaid.” It lets people who have a disability keep Medicaid while they are working. There is no income or resource limit, but higher earners may pay a small monthly premium ($0 to $370) based on income.

If you are thinking about returning to work, don’t be afraid to try. Contact a benefits counselor here at the Sherlock Center with questions about work impacting your benefits.  A benefits counselor can give you information that matches your benefits and job goals so you are making choices that improve your financial wellbeing. Learn more about accessing benefits counseling or call us at 401-456-8072.