The trial work period allows Social Security disability beneficiaries to test their ability to work for at least nine months.  During the trial work period, you can receive full benefits no matter how much you earn, as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment and you report your work activity.  The trial work period continues until you have completed nine trial work months within a 60-month period. 

In 2006, any month in which you earn $620 or more counts as one of the trial work months. For 2007, this amount is $640. 

After your trial work period ends, Social Security then looks at your earnings to determine whether you are working at a level Social Security considers substantial.  If you are, your cash benefits will stop. In 2007, average monthly earnings of $900 are considered substantial. For 2006, the amount was $860.  There are different limits for people disabled because of blindness.

If you continue to work, there are other rules that allow you to receive benefits. For 36 months following completion of the trial work period, you can receive your full Social Security disability benefit for any month in which your earnings fall below the "substantial" level.  You can find more information about available work incentives in the Social Security Administration’s leaflet, Working While Disabled-How The Social Security Administration’s Can Help (Social Security Administration Publication No. 05-10095).