If you’re living with a disabling condition and relying on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may be wondering whether picking up some part-time work could put your benefits at risk. It’s one of the most common questions our Social Security disability clients ask, and the honest answer is: it depends, and getting it wrong can be costly.
The Social Security Administration has a layered set of rules that govern how work activity affects your benefits. Those rules differ depending on which program you’re in, how much you earn, the nature of the work, and how and when you report it. For anyone relying on these benefits to cover basic living expenses, that’s a lot of variables to manage without guidance.
What Is “Substantial Gainful Activity” and Why Does It Matter?
The SSA uses a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA, as one of the primary tools for evaluating whether a recipient’s work disqualifies them from benefits. Crossing the SGA threshold, even temporarily, can trigger a review of your eligibility and potentially interrupt the benefits you depend on.
What makes this more complicated than it sounds is that SGA is not just about how much you earn on paper. The SSA looks at the full picture of your work activity, including hours, responsibilities, and the economic value of what you contribute. Part-time work that seems minor on the surface can raise flags in the SSA’s review process, particularly if the agency determines your condition allows for more sustained work than your disability filing described.
Does SSDI Give You Any Room to Try Working?
SSDI does include provisions designed to give recipients some flexibility to explore returning to the workforce without immediately losing their benefits. These provisions come with strict rules, specific time windows, and important reporting obligations, and navigating them incorrectly can result in overpayments the SSA will expect you to repay.
The challenge is that these protections are not automatic shields. They require you to understand which rules apply to your situation, act within the correct timeframes, and stay in communication with the SSA in a way that accurately reflects your work activity. Missteps, even unintentional ones, can have real financial consequences.
How Does Part-Time Work Affect SSI Differently Than SSDI?
SSI operates under a completely different framework than SSDI because it is a needs-based program. Any income you earn while receiving SSI affects your monthly benefit amount, and the SSA’s calculations are not always straightforward. There are exclusions and adjustments built into the formula, but applying them correctly requires a clear understanding of the SSA’s rules and how they interact with your specific income and household situation.
For SSI recipients especially, the line between part-time work that reduces your benefit and part-time work that disrupts it entirely can be a narrow one. Before making any decisions about employment, it’s worth having a knowledgeable attorney review your situation so you understand exactly what’s at stake.
What Happens If You Don’t Report Work Activity Correctly?
This is where many well-meaning disability recipients run into serious trouble. The SSA requires you to report work activity promptly and accurately, and the definition of “work activity” is broader than most people expect. Failing to report, even without any intent to deceive, can result in overpayment notices that demand you return months or years of benefits.
If you receive an overpayment notice, you do have options, but the process for challenging or resolving one is time-sensitive and procedurally demanding. The stakes are high enough that trying to navigate it without legal guidance puts you at a significant disadvantage.
How Can the Ritchie Law Firm Help Virginia and West Virginia Disability Clients?
Social Security disability law is an area where small decisions can have long-lasting consequences. At Ritchie Law Firm, our attorneys have spent decades helping clients throughout Virginia and West Virginia understand their rights, protect their benefits, and avoid the kinds of mistakes that are easy to make when you’re managing a serious health condition and trying to stay financially afloat at the same time.
We know these benefits often represent far more than supplemental income for our clients. They are the financial foundation that makes daily life possible. That’s why we take the time to understand each client’s full situation before advising them on any steps that could affect their benefits.
If you’re considering part-time work while receiving disability benefits, or if you’re already dealing with an overpayment issue or a benefits review, don’t try to sort it out on your own. Contact our firm to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We serve clients across Virginia and West Virginia, with offices in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Winchester, Staunton, and Martinsburg, and we’re ready to help you protect what you’ve worked hard to secure.