Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Trial Work Period (TWP)
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Spotlight on Social Security
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Trial Work Period (TWP)
The TWP is one of the most valuable work incentives available through SSDI. It gives you the chance to explore employment without the risk of immediately losing your benefits. Understanding how the TWP works can help you protect your benefits while making confident, informed decisions about your future. With the right information, resources, and support, you can navigate the TWP successfully and take meaningful steps toward your employment goals.
Programs and Support:
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Social Security Administration (SSA): Administers SSDI benefits, processes wage reports, and provides official disability benefit information. Trial Work Period details and current amounts can be found on the Social Security Administration website. There you can also find your local office by using the Social Security Administration Office Locator tool.
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Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) Website: Provides easy-to-read information about TWP and SSDI work incentives. Visit the California Disability Benefits 101 website to learn more about Social Security Disability Insurance Work Incentives in the section on Trial Work Period Information.
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California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR): Provides Work Incentive Planning (WIP) Services (benefits counseling), and Vocational Rehabilitation (employment services). The Department Of Rehabilitation website has a section for Programs for Social Security Beneficiaries which offers valuable disability benefit information. Visit the webinar page, which offers various videos on Social Security topics.
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Ticket to Work (TTW) Program: Connects you with valuable resources like Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects, Employment Networks (ENs), and other support services to help you reach your employment goals. To learn more, visit the Choose Work website for a TTW Overview. You can also use the Find Help tool to find local support and personalized benefits counseling. For additional assistance, call the TTW Help Line at 866-968-7842.
Practical Steps:
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To understand the TWP, begin by looking up the current TWP amount on the Social Security website or on the Disability Benefits 101 website.
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Track your TWP: Your TWP ends when you have used 9 TWP months within a 60-month (5-year) period. Track your monthly work activity and income to know which months count toward your 9-month TWP. If you need help tracking, work with a Work Incentive Planner (WIP) to monitor TWP months or request a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) report by calling Social Security.
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Keep a record of pay stubs and wage statements, counting months when you earned over the TWP amount. If you are self-employed, track your income and hours worked.
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Report to Social Security: Report your wages by the 6th of every month. Keep copies of the wage reports you submit and receipt of submission.
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Contact a WIP or WIPA counselor for personalized guidance on how work may affect your benefits.
Key Takeaways:
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The TWP allows you 9 months to test work without losing SSDI cash payments.
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Your SSDI payment stays the same during all 9 TWP months, no matter how much you earn. SSDI has different rules from SSI; with SSDI, your payment does not decrease when you earn money during TWP.
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The 9 months do not have to be consecutive; you can use them over a 5-year period (60-month) rolling period.
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A TWP month counts when you earn over the TWP amount. For self-employed individuals: TWP month also counts if you work more than 80 hours, even if income is lower.
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Keep detailed records of earnings, pay stubs, and letters from Social Security, and make sure to report your wages on time each month.
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Get help from a WIP or WIPA project to track TWP months and plan your next steps into the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) where different rules apply.
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Free support is available through WIPA projects, ENs, and DOR to help you make informed choices about your career and benefits.
The Trial Work Period protects your SSDI benefits while you test employment, allowing you to build confidence, develop skills, and figure out if long-term employment is right for you. As you explore work, remember to stay organized, report your earnings on time, and take advantage of the free support available to you. Ready to learn more and get inspired? The Department of Rehabilitation website provides valuable tools and resources to support your journey. Check out the DOR Spotlight on Social Security YouTube Channel where you will find webinars on benefits, useful programs, Social Security updates, and real success stories from people who have navigated this process successfully.