This is one of the most common questions we hear at Marcus Vaden Law in Arkansas. Many people think that any work activity automatically disqualifies them from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). That is not true. The rules around work and SSDI are more flexible than most people realize.
Whether you are still working part-time, just left a job you could no longer handle or somewhere in between, there may still be a path to benefits. At Marcus Vaden Law, we help people across Arkansas sort through these rules every day. Let’s break it down.
What Is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
The first thing Social Security looks at is whether you are doing what they call Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). SGA is basically work that involves meaningful physical or mental tasks for pay. It is Social Security’s way of measuring whether you can support yourself through work.
Here is why SGA matters so much:
- If Social Security decides you are performing SGA, they will deny your claim before even looking at your medical records
- It does not matter how severe your condition is or how many doctors back your claim
- If your earnings are above the SGA limit, the process stops at step one
SGA is not just about how much money you make. Social Security also looks at the type of work you do, whether your employer gives you special help and whether the work you perform is truly productive.
How Much Can I Earn and Still Qualify?
For 2026, the SGA limits are:
- $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals
- $2,830 per month for individuals who are blind
These are based on your gross earnings (before taxes), not your take-home pay. If you consistently earn more than these amounts, Social Security will consider you able to work.
But not all income counts the same way. Social Security allows certain deductions that could bring your countable income below the SGA limit:
- Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs): Costs like special transportation, medication you need to do your job or assistive devices can be subtracted from your earnings
- Employer subsidies: If your employer gives you extra breaks, lighter duties or other help because of your condition, the value of that support can be deducted
These details can sometimes mean the difference between a denial and an approval.
What If I Just Stopped Working?
If you recently stopped working because of a medical condition, you may be in a strong position to file. Social Security does not require you to be out of work for any set amount of time before applying. In fact, filing sooner is almost always better. The longer you wait, the longer it takes to start getting benefits, and waiting too long can even affect your eligibility.
Social Security wants to see that your condition stops you from doing SGA on a sustained basis. Here is what makes your case stronger:
- Medical records that clearly explain why you stopped working
- Doctors who have documented your limitations and restrictions in detail
- Evidence from your employer or coworkers showing a decline in your ability to do your job
- Records of missed work, unfinished tasks or relying on coworkers to pick up the slack
The connection between your condition and your inability to work is what drives your entire case.
Can I Work Part-Time and Still Get SSDI?
Yes, in many cases you can. Working part-time does not automatically disqualify you. The key question is whether your earnings fall below the SGA limit. If you earn less than $1,690 per month in 2026, Social Security will generally not count that as SGA.
However, there are a few things to watch out for:
- If your part-time work involves tasks that are physically or mentally demanding, Social Security could argue you are more capable than you claim
- If your work activity does not match the limitations your doctors have documented, it can hurt your case
- Social Security will still use your work activity to build your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) profile, which is a detailed picture of what you can and cannot do
Be thoughtful about the kind of work you take on while your case is pending. Make sure it lines up with what your doctors say about your limitations.
What Is a Trial Work Period?
If you are already receiving SSDI and want to try going back to work, Social Security offers a Trial Work Period (TWP). This lets you test your ability to work without losing your benefits right away.
Here is how the TWP works in 2026:
- A month counts as a trial work month if you earn more than $1,210 before taxes
- You get up to 9 trial work months (they do not have to be back to back)
- The 9 months are tracked within a rolling 60-month (5-year) window
- During trial work months, you keep your full SSDI payment no matter how much you earn
After all 9 months are used, Social Security enters the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During the EPE (36 months), they check your monthly earnings against the SGA limit. Months below SGA, you get your benefit. Months above, your benefit may be paused. The TWP is a great tool for people who want to explore returning to work without risking everything.
How Does My Work History Affect My Claim?
To qualify for SSDI, you need enough work credits from paying Social Security taxes over your career. In 2026, you earn 1 credit for every $1,890 in wages or self-employment income (up to 4 per year). Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the last 10 years before the disability started.
If you have been working steadily and recently stopped, you likely have plenty of credits. But if you have been out of the workforce for a while, your insured status may have lapsed. Many people do not realize they can be denied simply because they no longer have enough recent work credits.
This is a big reason to file sooner rather than later. The longer you wait after you stop working, the more you risk losing your insured status.
Not Sure How Your Work Affects Your Claim? We Can Help.
The rules around work and SSDI are complicated, and every situation is different. A small mistake early in the process, like earning too much in one month or taking on work that does not match your documented limitations, can cause real problems for your case.
Marcus Vaden Law has been helping people across Arkansas with Social Security Disability claims since 1996. Whether you are thinking about filing for the first time, wondering if your part-time job will affect your claim or trying to figure out the Trial Work Period, we are here to help.Our fee is 25% of backpay, and you pay nothing unless we win. Give us a call today or fill out our Request a Claim Review Form to get started.
