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    SSDI Earnings Limit Checker

    Can I work and still get SSDI? Enter your monthly pay and see if it may be over the earnings limit.

    Free · No account needed · Private · About 1 minute

    SSDI Earnings Limit Checker illustration

    How it works

    1. 1

      Tell us about your work

      Share whether you work now and about how much you earn each month.

    2. 2

      We compare it to the limit

      We check your pay against the 2026 SSDI earnings limits.

    3. 3

      See what it may mean

      Get a plain-language result and next steps to consider.

    What you get

    • How your pay compares to the 2026 earnings limit
    • What the trial work period is and how it may apply
    • Questions to ask before you take on more hours
    • Links to learn more about work and SSDI

    What this tool does

    • • Explains how SSA looks at work and earnings
    • • Uses the 2026 SSDI earnings limits
    • • Helps you plan questions before changing your work

    What this tool does not do

    • • Does not decide if you qualify
    • • Does not replace guidance from Social Security
    • • Does not tell you to stop working

    Can I work and still get SSDI?

    Yes, you may be able to work some and still get SSDI. Social Security (SSA) looks at whether your work counts as substantial gainful activity, or SGA. In 2026, gross pay over $1,690 a month generally counts as SGA. If you are blind, the limit is $2,830 a month.

    If you already get SSDI, you may have a trial work period. Any month you earn over $1,210 in 2026 counts as a trial work month. You can have up to nine of these months and keep your full benefit while you test your ability to work.

    SSA also looks at more than pay, like your hours and job duties. Always report work to SSA. This checker gives you a starting point, not a decision.

    Common questions

    You can work and still get SSDI in some cases. SSA looks at whether your work is substantial gainful activity. In 2026, gross pay over $1,690 a month generally counts as substantial work, or $2,830 if you are blind. Pay under that level may not stop your benefits, but SSA looks at the whole picture.

    The SSDI earnings limit for 2026 is $1,690 a month in gross pay for most people. For people who are blind, it is $2,830 a month. SSA calls this substantial gainful activity, or SGA. SSA updates these amounts each year.

    The SSDI trial work period lets people who already get SSDI test their ability to work. In 2026, any month you earn over $1,210 counts as a trial work month. You can have up to nine trial work months within a rolling five-year window and keep your full SSDI benefit during them.

    SSA generally uses gross pay for SSDI, which is your pay before taxes and deductions. If you are self-employed, SSA looks at your net earnings and the value of your work. Some work costs tied to your disability may be subtracted, so keep your receipts.

    You can apply for SSDI while you are working, but your pay matters. If you earn more than the earnings limit, SSA will likely find you are doing substantial work and deny the claim. If you earn less, SSA may still look at your hours and duties.

    Yes, you have to report work to Social Security if you get SSDI. Report when you start or stop a job, and when your pay or hours change. Reporting on time may help you avoid an overpayment that you would have to pay back later.

    Part-time work can affect SSDI, depending on how much you earn and what you do. Pay under the monthly earnings limit may not stop your benefits. SSA may still look at your duties and hours to decide if your work shows you can do more.

    Yes, this SSDI earnings checker is free, and you do not need an account. It takes about a minute. Your answers stay private, and the tool does not send anything to Social Security.

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    Earnings Limits for SSDI, SSI, and VA (2026)

    Last reviewed September 25, 2026. For general information only, not legal or medical advice.

    Sources: SSA: Substantial Gainful Activity · SSA: Working While Disabled

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