April Newsletter

Test your understanding about Trial Work Period

If you receive SSDI, your TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During your TWP, you’ll receive full SSDI benefits, no matter how much you earn — as long as you report your work activity and continue to meet Social Security’s rules for disability. The TWP continues until you accumulate nine TWP service months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month period.

Social Security uses the amount you have earned in a month before subtracting taxes, to decide if a month counts toward your TWP. In 2025, if you earn $1,160 or more, or work more than 80 hours in self-employment in a month you’re considered to have worked a TWP “service month,” which is counted toward your TWP.

You may have heard of substantial gainful activity (SGA), but this amount differs from the TWP amount. Social Security uses SGA later during your path to financial independence to determine your eligibility for benefits.

Unlike with SGA, Social Security cannot use other Work Incentives to determine if your work activity meets or exceeds this established amount. So, in 2025, if your pre-tax income is $1,160 or more, you’re using a month of your TWP.