What is a Trial Work Period? [2022 Update]

Are you ready to rejoin the workforce? A trial work period allows you to test the waters.

Earnings That Can Trigger 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. Social Security does 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 all in a row) in a rolling 60-month period. In 2021, any month in which earnings exceed $940 is considered a month of services for an individual’s trial work period. In 2022, this monthly amount is $970.

For more information, please see section 404.1592 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Method used to determine earnings that trigger a trial work period

Monthly earnings in 2022, 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 2020 to that for 1999, or, if larger, such amount for 2021 ($940). If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, Social Security rounds it to the nearest multiple of $10.