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Social Security disability

After you are approved

Approval brings health coverage, reviews, and rules about work. Here is what to expect.

After you are approved

  • Medicare starts after you have been entitled to SSDI for 24 months (in the 25th month).
  • If you have ALS, Medicare starts in your first month of SSDI.
  • People with permanent kidney failure (ESRD) have separate Medicare rules.
  • In most states, SSI brings Medicaid. Some states use their own stricter rules. See your state page.
  • SSA reviews your case from time to time (a continuing disability review). If improvement is expected: every 6 to 18 months. If improvement is possible: at least every 3 years. If not expected: every 5 to 7 years.
  • If a judge, the Appeals Council, or a court approved you, SSA generally will not review you for 3 years unless a reason comes up.
  • Ticket to Work: if you are 18 to 64 and get SSDI or SSI because of disability, you can get free job help.
  • Trial work period (SSDI): you can test work for 9 months (they do not need to be in a row) within 60 months and keep full benefits. In 2026 a month counts if you earn over $1,210 ($1,270 in 2027).
  • Extended period of eligibility: for 36 months after the trial work period, you get benefits for any month you earn under the SGA amount.
  • Expedited reinstatement: if your benefits stopped because of work, you can ask to restart them within 60 months if you have to stop working because of the same or a related condition.
  • SSI work rules: under section 1619(a), you can keep getting SSI cash even if you earn over the SGA amount. Under 1619(b), Medicaid can continue when your earnings end your SSI cash.
  • A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets you set aside income or resources for a work goal. SSA does not count that money for SSI.
  • If you cannot manage your money, SSA can pick a representative payee. A qualified organization can charge a fee of up to $57 a month in 2026 ($106 in some cases); $59 and $110 in 2027.
  • Tell SSA about changes, like work, earnings, moving, marriage, or more income or resources.
  • Part of your SSDI may be taxed if your income is over $25,000 (single) or $32,000 (married filing jointly). Up to 85% can be taxed. This rule covers SSDI and other Social Security (title II) benefits, not SSI.
  • ABLE accounts: since January 1, 2026, you can open one if your disability began before age 46 (before 2026 it was before 26). For SSI, up to $100,000 in an ABLE account does not count. The 2026 contribution limit is $20,000.

Guides

Sources

Last checked: November 2026