How Much Can I Earn While on Social Security Disability in 2023?

If you receive Social Security disability benefits in 2023, you should learn the new income limits. Disability benefit recipients are only permitted to earn a certain amount in additional income each month, on top of their checks from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The earning limits for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit recipients have increased for 2023. The current limit is $2,460 per month for blind individuals and $1,470 for non-blind individuals. Recipients must also be aware of the monthly income amounts that might trigger a trial work period (TWP). In 2023, that amount is $1,050. Consistently earning over the allowed amounts can result in a loss of SSDI benefits for recipients. To ensure this doesn’t happen, contact our lawyers to learn more about managing your finances while receiving SSDI benefits and what to do if your benefits are threatened.

We’re here to help those with qualifying conditions take advantage of the disability benefits available to them. For a free case evaluation with the Pennsylvania disability attorneys at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates, call today at (215) 515-2954 or (609) 557-3081.

What Are the Earning Limits for Social Security Disability Recipients in 2023?

As a recipient of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, any additional income you earn will be monitored and limited. Recipients can only earn a certain in additional income each month, depending on their qualifying condition.

Disability recipients must adhere to the Social Security Administration’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit for additional earned income. In 2023, the SGA limit for blind recipients is $2,460 per month, while the SGA limit for non-blind recipients is $1,470 per month. This limit is in addition to the monthly SSDI check you receive.

The SGA limit is not the only way the SSA tracks benefit recipients’ income. While you may be able to earn up to the SGA limit in additional income each month, do so too often, and you may enter a trial work period. In 2023, the trigger for a trial work period is earning over $1,050 in additional income in a month. This can be confusing for SSDI recipients, who might be unsure which income limit to follow. Our Philadelphia disability attorneys can assess your monthly income as an SSDI recipient to ensure you follow the appropriate limits and do not jeopardize your access to benefits.

Why Can I Only Earn So Much While on Social Security Disability in 2023?

You might wonder why SSDI recipients can only earn a certain amount in additional income each month, lest they risk their access to benefits. That is because a key element of one’s eligibility for disability benefits is that their injury, illness, or disability is severe enough to prevent them from financially supporting themselves.

Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are for those who have worked for a considerable time but are no longer able to because of a qualifying injury, disability, or illness. Essentially, when you cannot earn a sufficient income because of a medical condition, SSDI benefits can help support you and your family.

Suppose recipients earn over the SGA limit or the limit to trigger a TWP. In that case, such activity indicates to the Social Security Administration that recipients may actually be able to work and that their condition no longer prevents them from earning a sufficient income. Generally, SSDI recipients can only work a part-time job if they wish to earn additional income, remain under the SGA limit, and not trigger a trial work period.

The SGA limit for disability recipients changes each year. The Social Security Administration raises the limit annually, as it did for 2023, to account for inflation and other factors. If you need help adjusting to the recent increase in the SGA limit, reach out to our Bucks County disability attorneys. Staying up to date on the current additional income limits for SSDI benefit recipients is important so that you can keep your finances in order and maintain access to benefits.

What if I Earn Too Much in 2023 While on Social Security Disability?

If you earn too much while on Social Security Disability Insurance benefits consistently or even in one month, your access to benefits may be threatened. Earning over a certain amount in a month can trigger a trial work period, which might result in a loss of benefits if left unchecked. Earning over the SGA limit might also result in a loss of benefits for the months you had too much additional income in 2023, and may make you liable to pay taxes on your benefits.

Trial Work Periods

Trial work periods are automatically triggered when SSDI recipients earn over $1,050 in a month in 2023. Trial work periods last for nine months, after which the SSA might consider your condition removed. These nine months do not necessarily have to be consecutive but must exist within a rolling 60-month period. So, if you earn over $1,050 over nine months, the SSA might revoke your SSDI benefits following a 36-month extended period of eligibility, also known as the SSA’s grace period.

This can be frustrating for recipients, as TWP months do not have to be consecutive and are automatically triggered, often without recipients’ knowledge. Our Quakertown disability attorneys can identify trial work periods and prevent you from losing access to your benefits during a grace period.

Loss of Benefits

You may lose access to your benefits if you earn over the SGA limit for SSDI recipients in 2023. Earning over $2,460 in a month as a blind recipient or $1,470 as a non-blind recipient will most likely mean that you do not receive your SSDI benefit check for that month. Consistently earning over the SGA limit might result in a loss of benefits entirely.

It is important to be aware of the current SGA limit for disability recipients, as the SSA takes earning over the allowed amount very seriously. Doing so might indicate that you can work and earn a sufficient income, which might cause your monthly SSDI benefit checks to cease. A Chester County disability lawyer can advocate for your disability benefits to be re-instated if they are lost.

Call Our Attorneys About Your Social Security Disability Claim Today

If you are an SSDI recipient and want to learn more about income limits for 2023, reach out to our New Jersey disability benefits lawyers. For a free case evaluation with the disability attorneys at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates, call today at (215) 515-2954 or (609) 557-3081.