Re: SSDI and Trial Work Period

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http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/twp.html

Trial Work Period

Updated October 18, 2006

What is a trial work period? During a trial work period, a

beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may test

his or her ability to work and still be considered disabled. We do

not consider services performed during the trial work period as

showing that the disability has ended until services have been

performed in at least 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a

rolling 60-month period.

In 2006, any month in which earnings exceed $620 is considered a

month of services for an individual's trial work period. In 2007,

this monthly amount increases to $640.

Method used to determine earnings that trigger a trial work period

Monthly earnings in 2007, used to determine whether a month is part

of a trial work period, is such amount for 2001 multiplied by the

ratio of the national average wage index for 2005 to that for 1999,

or, if larger, such amount for 2006 ($620). If the amount so

calculated is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest

multiple of $10. Below are details on how we determined the latest

amount.

Calculation details Amounts in formula 2001 monthly earnings $530

1999 average wage index $30,469.84

2005 average wage index $36,952.94

Computation $530 times ($36,952.94 divided by $30,469.84) equals

$642.77, which rounds to $640.

Higher amount $640 exceeds $620, so the amount for 2007 is $640