I have been on SSDI for 5 yrs or so. This January I started a business which has ended up doing quite well, with every month of 9 being over the SGA.

I have NOT yet reported the income, thinking it will be averaged over the year - and I am hoping to make this my ‘Trial Work Period.’

I had no idea overpayment existed and am now quite concerned. Suggestions how to approach? Advice?

Thank you!

Hi. When you apply for Social Security disability (SSDI), you agree to report to Social Security if you return to work. Failure to do so is potentially fraudulent. Therefore, my advice would be to report your work and earnings to Social Security ASAP.

I don't have enough information about your business to know if your earnings are high enough to affect your benefits, but Social Security does receive earnings information from the IRS. So, Social Security will eventually find out about any self-employment earnings that you report on your tax returns. And, if those earnings average more than Social Security's substantial gainful activity (SGA) level, you may be receiving disability benefits that you'll be expected to pay back. The current monthly SGA level for non-blind individuals is $1310, and for blind individuals it's $2190.

For more details on the rules regarding working while collecting disability benefits, refer to the following Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf.

Best, Jerry