Trial Work Period (TWP)

A period of nine months, (not necessarily consecutive) during which the earnings of a Social Security beneficiary who is blind or disabled will not affect his or her benefit. (The nine months of work must occur within a 60-month period.)

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)

For at least three years after a successful work period, a Social Security beneficiary who is blind or disabled may receive a disability benefit for any month that his/her earnings are below the substantial gainful activity level (in 2005, $ for people who are disabled , $1,300 for people who are blind).

Continuation of Medicare

If Social Security disability payments stop because a person has earnings at or above the substantial gainful activity level, but the person is still disabled, Medicare can continue for at least 93 months after the trial work period, after that the person can buy Medicare by paying a monthly premium.

Medicare for People with Disabilities Who Work

After premium-free Medicare ends due to work, and you continue to be disabled, you may buy continued Medicare coverage. 

Blind Work Expense

SSA will not count any earned income that an individual uses to meet expenses that are needed to earn that income in deciding SSI eligibility and amount of cash payment.

Earned Income Exclusion

SSA will not count the first 65 of your earnings each month plus one-half of the remainder.

Plan for Achieving Self-Support

An SSI recipient who is blind or disabled may set aside income and resources toward an approved plan for achieving self-support (PASS)

Property Essential for Self-Support

SSA will not count some resources that are essential to your means of self-support when SSI is deciding your initial and continuing eligibility for SSI.

Special SSI payments for People Who Work

nSection 1619 (a)

nAn individual can receive a cash payment of SSI even when earned income is at the SGA level

Continued Medicaid Coverage-1619 (b)

An individual’s Medicaid coverage can continue, even if earnings become to high for an SSI cash payment.

Student Earned Income Exclusion

If you are under 22, not married nor head of your household, and regularly attend school, SSA will not count up to a certain monthly amount of earned income when figuring your SSI monthly payment.  There is a monthly maximum in any given month and an annual maximum excluded.

Reinstating Eligibility Without a New Application

If you have been ineligible for SSI benefits for 12 months or less for any reason other than medical recovery, you may be able to restart your SSI cash payment and/or continued Medicaid coverage without a new application.

Benefits for People Eligible Under Section 1619 (a) or (b) Who Enter a Medical Treatment Facility

May receive SSI cash benefits for up to 2 months while in a Medicaid facility or a public medical or psychiatric facility.

Impairment Related Work Expenses

Certain expenses for things a person with a disability needs because of his/her impairment in order to work may be deducted when counting earnings to determine if the person is performing substantial gainful activity.

Subsidies and Special Conditions

A support a person receives on the job, which could result in more pay than the actual value of the services the person performs.

A Subsidy is provided by the employer. A Special Condition is provided by a Service Provider or Vocational Rehabilitation.

Un-incurred Business Expense

A term SSA uses for self-employment business support that someone else gives to the beneficiary without cost.

Unsuccessful Work Attempts

A work attempt on the part of the beneficiary to do substantial work, which they stopped or reduced to below SGA within 6 months or less.

Section 301Continuation of benefits
Under a Vocational Rehabilitation Program

When a person’s disability is no longer impairing the ability to earn SGA they may be eligible to receive payments until their program ends, they stop participating, or SSA determines that continued participation will not increase the likelihood of permanent removal from benefits.