Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

The SSA defines work as SGA if your earnings exceed a set limit in a month:

• 2024 SGA limit:$1,470/month for non-blind individuals in Kansas.
• If your income goes beyond this, SSDI benefits could stop due to work activity.

Trial Work Period (TWP)

In Kansas, you can test work without losing benefits right away:

• TWP lets you work up to 9 months while still receiving full SSDI payments.
• During TWP, earnings can exceed SGA without benefits ending.

Continuing Disability Review (CDR)

The SSA will check if your work affects your disability status:

• Work activity and earnings are reviewed regularly.
• If you can perform substantial work, benefits may be discontinued.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)

Some work expenses can reduce countable earnings:

• Deductible impairments costs like special equipment or services.
• This may help keep earnings below the SGA threshold.

Reporting Work Activity

Always inform SSA about your jobs:

• Failure to report can result in overpayments and penalties.
• Reporting helps protect your rights and avoids interruptions.

Impact on Medicare and Medicaid

Returning to work can affect your health coverage:

• Medicare coverage often continues for a limited time after work resumes.
• Check how employment earnings impact Medicaid eligibility if applicable in Kansas.