There are special rules called work incentives that help you keep your disability and Medicare benefits while you test your ability to work. For example, there is a trial work period. During
the trial work period, you can receive full benefits regardless of how much you earn. You just have to report your work activity and continue to have a disabling impairment.
The trial work period continues until you accumulate nine months (not necessarily consecutive) in which you perform what are called services within a rolling 60-month period. Social Security considers your work to be services if you earn more than $720 a month in 2010 and 2011.
After the trial work period ends, your benefits will stop during months your earnings are at a level considered substantial, more than $1,000 in 2010 and 2011. Different amounts apply to people disabled because of blindness. The monthly substantial amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2010 and 2011 is more than $1,640.
For an additional 36 months after completing the trial work period, Social Security can start your benefits again if your earnings fall below the substantial level and you continue to have a disabling impairment.
