Stacy Stanley | August 5, 2026 | Workers' Compensation
Many South Carolina residents receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may avoid work for fear of losing their benefits. However, in many cases, individuals can work while on SSDI, but there are specific limits and rules you need to understand before you take on a job or increase your hours.
Working too much or earning more than the SSA allows can trigger an overpayment notice or affect the benefits you rely on.
SSDI Rules Are Not State-Specific
SSDI is a federal program, which means the rules governing how much you can earn while receiving benefits are the same across the country, including in South Carolina. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a standard called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether your work activity is significant enough to affect your eligibility.
For 2026, the SGA limit is $1,690 per month for non-blind recipients and $2,830 per month for statutorily blind recipients. These figures are based on your gross earnings before taxes and are adjusted annually.
What Is the Trial Work Period?
If you want to try working without immediately risking your benefits, the SSA’s Trial Work Period (TWP) provides protection. In 2026, any month you earn more than $1,210 counts as one of nine trial work months.
During your Trial Work Period, you can earn any amount and still receive your full SSDI payment. This period is designed to let you test whether you’re able to return to work without the fear of losing your benefits.
Importantly, the nine months don’t need to happen consecutively. The SSA tracks any month in which your earnings cross the threshold, spread out over as long as it takes.
What Happens After the Trial Work Period Ends
Once you’ve used all nine trial work months, a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) begins. During this period, your monthly SSDI payment depends on whether your earnings exceed the SGA limit:
If you are below the SGA, you will continue to receive your full SSDI payment. If you are above SGA, you won’t receive SSDI for that month, though your eligibility for future months may remain intact.
One strong earning month doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from benefits going forward. The SSA evaluates your earnings on a month-by-month basis during the EPE.
Deductions and Resources
The SSA allows certain deductions that can bring your countable earnings below the SGA threshold even if your paycheck is higher than the limit.
These include:
- Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), such as costs for medical equipment or transportation you need because of your disability
- Employer subsidies, if your employer pays you more than the actual value of the work you perform
- Business expenses for SSDI recipients who are self-employed
These deductions can make a meaningful difference for South Carolina residents trying to return to work part-time without crossing the SGA line.
South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation also offers services to SSDI recipients who want to explore returning to work, including job training, assistive technology, and employer connections. These services work alongside the SSA’s national Ticket to Work program, which is designed to support disabled workers testing their ability to return to the workforce.
How Does Workers’ Compensation Affect SSDI Benefits?
Many injured workers in South Carolina receive both workers’ compensation benefits and SSDI. While it is possible to qualify for both programs, receiving benefits from each at the same time may affect the amount you receive.
In some situations, the Social Security Administration applies a workers’ compensation offset that reduces SSDI benefits when the combined payments exceed certain limits. The amount of any reduction depends on your specific circumstances, including your workers’ compensation benefits and prior earnings.
If you are receiving workers’ compensation and are considering returning to work, it is important to understand how your employment could affect both types of benefits. Speaking with an attorney before making changes to your work status can help you avoid unexpected issues with your benefits.
Contact the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
The rules around working while on SSDI are strict. A mistake can lead to an overpayment notice or an unexpected loss of benefits.
If you’re considering returning to work, or if the SSA has questioned your work activity, an experienced disability attorney can help you understand your options and how to protect your benefits going forward.
For more information, please contact Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation o discuss your case with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Aynor, or across South Carolina.
We proudly serve Horry County and its surrounding areas.
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