At the Law Offices of Christopher Le, many clients ask what happens if they return to work after filing for Social Security Disability (SSD). It’s a common concern: someone files for SSD while unable to work, but later feels well enough to return to their job. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves the claim during this time, what happens next? Do they still receive benefits or back pay? Let’s break it down.
Understanding the Scenario
Imagine a client who applied for SSD because of a disabling condition. Six months later, they start working again, and soon after, the SSA approves their claim. Now they wonder:
- Can I keep working?
- Will I still get monthly benefits?
- Am I eligible for back pay?
The answers depend on SSA rules around Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), the Trial Work Period (TWP), and back pay eligibility.
Key Rules About Working After Filing
The SSA uses Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to decide if someone is too disabled to work. For 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals.
- Below SGA: If your monthly earnings are under this amount, your benefits may continue.
- Above SGA: If you earn more than the limit, the SSA may decide you’re not disabled for benefit purposes.
Still, returning to work doesn’t automatically cancel your SSD approval. The SSA has programs like the Trial Work Period to help people test working without losing benefits right away.
Trial Work Period (TWP) Explained
The Trial Work Period lets you work for up to nine months (not necessarily in a row) while still receiving full SSD benefits. In 2025, a trial work month is triggered if you earn more than $1,160.
During the TWP:
- You continue to receive full SSD benefits.
- The SSA tracks how many trial work months you’ve used.
Once you finish nine TWP months, you enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this time, your benefits can stop or restart depending on whether your earnings are above or below the SGA threshold.
So, in our example, if the client started working six months after filing and was later approved, they may already be in their TWP. Whether their earnings count toward it depends on whether they’re above $1,160 per month.
Back Pay and Returning to Work
Back pay is the retroactive SSD payment covering the period you were disabled before your claim was approved. It’s based on your Established Onset Date (EOD) minus a five-month waiting period.
For instance:
- If you became disabled in December 2024, filed in January 2025, and were approved in July 2025, your back pay could start from May 2025.
Importantly, working after you file usually doesn’t affect back pay since it’s tied to the time you weren’t working and were disabled.
What Should You Do If This Happens?
If you’re approved for SSD but currently working, here’s what to do:
- Report Your Work Activity – Notify the SSA about your job, hours, and earnings.
- Check Your Earnings – See if your income is above the SGA ($1,620 in 2025) or TWP limit ($1,160 in 2025).
- Use the TWP Wisely – You can work and still receive benefits during this period.
- Monitor Your Health – If your condition worsens, you may continue or resume benefits.
- Get Legal Guidance – An attorney can help you avoid mistakes and maximize your benefits.
Will You Lose Benefits by Working?
Not right away. Thanks to the TWP and EPE, you can try working without instantly losing SSD support. If your earnings eventually exceed SGA after these periods, your benefits may stop—but they can restart if your condition forces you to reduce work or stop again.
How the Law Offices of Christopher Le Can Help
Returning to work while navigating SSD can feel overwhelming. At the Law Offices of Christopher Le, we help clients:
- Understand their rights under SSA rules.
- Avoid costly mistakes with reporting.
- Secure back pay and maximize ongoing benefits.
If you’ve returned to work after filing for SSD and want to know how it affects your case, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact the Law Offices of Christopher Le today for a free consultation and let us help you protect your benefits.
