Can SSDI benefits be taken away if I go back to work in Maine?
By Hogan Smith
Updated 12/11/2025
Can SSDI benefits be taken away if I go back to work in Maine? In Maine, returning to work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can affect your payments. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific rules that determine how much, if any, your benefit amount may be reduced based on your work activity. If your earnings exceed certain limits, your SSDI benefits may be suspended or stopped temporarily. Understanding how returning to work impacts your benefits can help you make informed decisions about employment.
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Understanding Work Incentives
The SSA provides programs to encourage work while protecting benefits:
- Trial Work Period (TWP) allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months without losing benefits.
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
Income Limits and Reporting
In Maine, it is important to know:
- Monthly earnings thresholds set by SSA determine if benefits continue or are suspended.
- You must report all work activity and income to SSA promptly to avoid overpayments.
Medical Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
Returning to work may trigger a review:
- SSA may evaluate whether your disability still prevents substantial work.
- Positive work activity could lead to benefits being stopped if you no longer qualify.
Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
Some work expenses can protect your benefits:
- Costs related to your disability that are necessary for work can be deducted from your earnings.
Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
Benefits can continue during fluctuating work:
- EPE lasts 36 months after TWP and allows benefits to restart if earnings fall below SGA.
- This offers a grace period to adjust work and benefits.
How Hogan Smith Can Help
Hogan Smith assists individuals in Maine worried about losing SSDI benefits when returning to work by:
- Clarifying SSDI work rules and how your earnings impact your specific benefit case.
- Helping you understand trial work periods, income limits, and reporting requirements to protect your benefits.
- Advising on medical continuing disability reviews and preparing documentation to support ongoing eligibility.
- Representing you in communications with the SSA to prevent benefit termination improperly.
Contact Hogan Smith Today
If you have questions about whether your SSDI benefits can be taken away if you go back to work in Maine, contact Hogan Smith today for a free consultation. Our knowledgeable team will guide you through the complex SSA rules and help you maintain your benefits while pursuing employment opportunities.
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