Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries who want to return to work have a series of protections that allow them to try without immediately losing their benefit. In 2027, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider any month with earnings above $1,270 as a trial work month, compared with $1,210 in 2026.
How the trial work period works
An SSDI beneficiary has nine trial work months within a rolling period of 60 months. During those months they receive their full benefit, no matter how much they earn. The months do not need to be consecutive.
- Trial work month in 2026 | earnings above $1,210.
- Trial work month in 2027 | earnings above $1,270.
- Self-employed workers | also count months in which they work more than 80 hours.
What happens after the nine months
When the trial period ends, the extended period of eligibility begins, which lasts 36 months. During that time, the beneficiary receives the benefit in the months in which their earnings are below the SGA limit, and does not receive it in the months in which they exceed it. In 2027, that limit will be $1,770 a month, or $2,950 for blind beneficiaries.
The SSA pays a grace period of three months after the first month of substantial work. After the 36 months, if the beneficiary continues earning above SGA, the benefit ends, but they can ask for expedited reinstatement within five years if the condition prevents them from working again.
Medicare continues
One of the most important protections is health coverage. Beneficiaries who return to work can keep Medicare for at least 93 months after the trial work period ends.
We explained the 2026 rules in our article on the $1,210 trial work threshold. The new limits are part of the changes announced with the 3.6% COLA, which raises the average SSDI check to $1,701. Blind beneficiaries have their own rules, detailed in our article on the $2,950 limit.
