SSDI Benefit Offset Pilot

State Resources

• Connecticut
• Utah
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

Wisconsin Benefits Planning

• Benefits Planning
• Employment Supports
• Income Reporting

Benefits Counselors provide people who receive SSDI with information about how employment may affect their Social Security, and other benefits, so that they can make an informed choice about working.  A Benefits Counselor can also help explain the rules of the Benefit Offset Pilot and how individuals receiving SSDI can earn more money each month without losing all of their SSDI benefit.  It is important to contact a Benefits Counselor if:

• You are working, or thinking about going to work, and you have questions about how earning more money might change your SSDI benefit.
• You have received an overpayment notice from Social Security.
• You have any questions about the Benefit Offset Pilot and how it affects you.

Contact Information

Contact Information-For more information about Benefits Counseling or to reach a Benefits Counselor in your area please go to http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/WIPathways/Providerservices.htm or http://www.eri-wi.org/Benefits/FeeForService/CounselorsbyCounty.htm

Resources and Forms

The following links provide information about the Benefit Offset Pilot rules and give you access to forms that can help you report changes in your income to your Benefits Counselor, who will then report any changes to Social Security.

To report earnings from jobs: Social Security Form 821 "Work Activity Report"

This form is used to report new work earnings or changes in work earnings. Anytime you start a new job or you start to work more hours or earn more money you should complete a form 821. A Benefits Planner can help you fill out this form if you would like.

To report earnings from self employment: Social Security Form 820 "Work Activity Report: Self-Employed"

This form is used to report new work earnings or changes in work earnings if you are self-employed. A Benefits Planner can help you fill out this form if you would like.

Social Security Work Incentives for People Receiving SSDI

The following links provide information about common work incentives for people receiving SSDI.  A Benefits Planner can explain each of these work incentives in more detail and help you understand how they might apply to your situation.

Trial Work Period

The Trial Work Period (TWP) allows you to test your ability to work for at least 9 months. During your TWP, you will receive full SSDI benefits regardless of how high your earnings might be so long as your work activity has been reported and you have a disabling impairment.

Extended Period of Eligibility

At the end of your 9 Trial Work Period months the first month you make above the SGA amount for the year is called your Cessation month. During your Cessation month and the two following months (a grace period) you will continue to receive your full SSDI benefit regardless of how much you earn. The first month after your two grace period months are done is the beginning of what is called your Extended Period of Eligibility or EPE.

Your EPE will continue for 72 consecutive months (6 years). During your EPE any month that you earn below the SGA amount for the year you will receive your full SSDI benefit. Any month that you earn more than the SGA amount for the year your SSDI benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $2 above the SGA amount you earn.  This is called the Benefit Offset.

Impairment Related Work Expenses

Social Security will deduct the cost of certain impairment-related items and services that you need to work from your gross earnings when they decide if your "countable earnings" are above the SGA amount.