SSDI and Work Restrictions in Virginia

Understanding how SSDI benefits work alongside work restrictions is essential for maintaining eligibility. In Virginia, certain work limitations can directly impact whether a person can continue to receive SSDI benefits. Here's an overview of how these restrictions affect eligibility:

• Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for SSDI, a person must have a disability that prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is the ability to work and earn a certain income. If an individual works and their earnings exceed the SGA limit, they may lose their SSDI benefits.
• Work Restrictions: SSDI recipients are subject to work restrictions that limit the amount of money they can earn without jeopardizing their benefits. As of 2025, the SGA limit is set at $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,460 for blind individuals. Earning above these thresholds may result in suspension of benefits.
• Trial Work Period (TWP): Individuals receiving SSDI are allowed to participate in a trial work period for up to 9 months. During this time, they can earn more than the SGA limit without losing benefits. However, after the trial work period ends, they must remain below the SGA limit to continue receiving SSDI benefits.
• Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Determination: The Social Security Administration (SSA) assesses an individual's ability to engage in SGA based on the nature of their disability. If an individual can perform work that is considered substantial and gainful, SSDI eligibility may be terminated.
• Impact of Earnings on Benefits: Even if an individual works part-time or earns less than the SGA limit, earning above a certain threshold could trigger a review of their eligibility. The SSA will evaluate whether the individual is still disabled under their standards and whether the disability still prevents them from working full-time.

Why SSDI Work Restrictions Matter

• Preserving Benefits: Work restrictions ensure that only individuals who truly cannot work are eligible for SSDI. Understanding and adhering to these rules is crucial to preserve benefits and avoid unintentional disqualification.
• Balancing Employment and Disability: For individuals with disabilities, SSDI and work restrictions offer an opportunity to test their ability to work while still receiving financial support, which can be critical in transitioning back to full-time employment.

Why Timely Reporting and Compliance Matter

• Avoiding Overpayments: SSDI recipients must report any changes in their work activity or earnings to the SSA promptly. Failure to report can lead to overpayment issues, where the SSA may require repayment of benefits.
• Ensuring Continuous Support: By complying with work restrictions and reporting changes, recipients can ensure there are no gaps in support, making financial planning easier and more predictable.

Common Challenges When Navigating SSDI and Work Restrictions in Virginia

• Earning Limits Confusion: Many SSDI recipients struggle to understand how their earnings impact their benefits. Misunderstanding the SGA limit or trial work period could lead to unintentional non-compliance.
• Complex Reporting Requirements: The process of reporting earnings to the SSA can be confusing, and mistakes in reporting can result in overpayment or delayed benefits.
• Navigating the Trial Work Period: While the trial work period offers flexibility, many individuals are unaware of how it works and what happens once it ends. It's important to know how trial work can impact long-term SSDI eligibility.
• Uncertainty About Eligibility After Returning to Work: Some recipients are unsure about whether they can work and still maintain their SSDI benefits. Knowing the rules for SGA and how work restrictions apply is critical to avoid disruptions in financial support.