The term trial work period applies when a Social Security disability recipient works and earns a certain amount of income to supplement their disability benefits. The more a disability recipient works and earns the closer Social Security is going to look to see if that person can work at a full-time level, or close to full-time level, depending on work-related income, to see if they should continue to receive disability benefits, or whether their conditions have improve where benefits should stop. Social Security sets guidelines regarding trial work periods, which you can see below.
Earnings trigger a trial work period
During a trial work period, a beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may test his or her ability to work and still be considered disabled. We do not consider services performed during the trial work period as showing that the disability has ended until services have been performed in at least 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a rolling 60-month period. In 2018, any month in which earnings exceed $850 is considered a month of services for an individual’s trial work period. In 2019, this monthly amount increases to $880.
Method used to determine earnings that trigger a trial work period
Monthly earnings in 2019, used to determine whether a month is part of a trial work period, is such amount for 2001 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2017 to that for 1999, or, if larger, such amount for 2018 ($850). If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10. Below are details on how we determined the latest amount.
Anytime you are receiving disability benefits and you begin to work and earn income you should report it to Social Security so there are no surprises down the road.
