Trial Work Period

The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During your TWP, you will receive full SSDI benefits regardless of how high your earnings might be as long as your work activity has been reported and you have a disabling impairment.

Your TWP starts the first month you are eligible for SSDI benefits or the month in which you file for benefits, whichever is later.

The TWP continues until you accumulate 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in which you perform what we call “services” within a rolling 60-month period. We use this “services” rule only to count TWP months.

In 2009, we consider your work to be “services” if your gross earnings are more than $700 a month, or if you work more than 80 hours in self-employment in a month.

When your TWP is complete, you become eligible for other employment supports.