SSDI Work Incentives

Detailed Information about Social Security Work Incentives

Information about work incentives for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

Earned Income Tax Credit

Find out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. Special rules apply for calculating earned income for members of the U.S. Armed Forces in combat zones.

Employment Support for People with Disabilities

Information on the Social Security Administration's Office of Employment Support Programs (OSEP), which works to promote the employment of Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities.

Extended Medicare Coverage for Working People with Disabilities

Answers to frequently asked questions on Extended Medicare coverage after returning to work.

Extended Period of Eligibility

If your disability benefits stop after successfully completing the trial work period because you worked at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level, SSA can automatically reinstate your benefits without a new application for any months in which your earnings drop below the SGA level. This reinstatement period lasts for 36 consecutive months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find an answer to questions about Social Security benefits and returning to work.

General Information about Work Incentives

General listings of the work incentives for SSDI and SSI beneficiaries.

Get Help in Understanding Work Incentives

State by state list of contacts to help people who receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and are interested in working or learning more about how working would affect their benefits.

Glossary of Terms for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) & Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Terms used in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs.

Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities

The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act is legislation that modernizes the employment services system for people with disabilities and makes it possible for millions of Americans with disabilities to no longer have to choose between taking a job and having health care.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses

Social Security will deduct the cost of certain impairment-related expenses that you need in order to work from your earnings when they decide if you are performing substantial work. Examples of impairment-related expenses are things such as a wheelchairs, certain transportation costs and specialized work-related equipment.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses

Information about Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and the criteria to qualfiy an expense as an IRWE.

Social Security Administration (SSA) Regulations

A portal to regulations governing SSA programs and benefits, including work incentive provisions.

Social Security Administration Office of Employment Support Programs (OESP) Forms & Publications

Contains a broad range of resources related to employment of people with disabilities.

Social Security Red Book

Link to the Red Book on Work Incentives and new information for 2008.

Social Security Red Book Employment Supports

Information on how employment supports help people with disabilities become employed.

Social Security Resources for Beneficiaries Going to Work

The beneficiaries section of The Work Site provides information for Social Security disability beneficiaries, their families and caregivers.

Subsidies & Special Conditions

Social Security defines "subsidy" as the extra amount of wages an employer pays an impaired individual for services over the reasonable value of the actual services the individual performs.

Substantial Gainful Activity

Listing of Substantial Gainful Activity amounts by year.

Trial Work Period

Information on the monthly amounts of gross earnings considered in a Trial Work month.

What is a Work Incentive?

Special rules make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments and Medicare or Medicaid. Social Security calls these rules "work incentives."

Working While Disabled, How Social Security Can Help

An electronic booklet describing all of the work incentive programs available through Social Security.

Your Ticket to Work: What You Need to Know to Keep it Working for You

Information about participation in the Ticket to Work Program.
  • The White House: President George W. Bush
  • USA.gov: The U.S. government's official web portal.