Picture this: You’ve finally been approved for Social Security Disability benefits in South Carolina. That monthly check helps you keep up with rent, groceries, and medical care. But life doesn’t stand still. Maybe a family friend in Greenville offers you a few hours a week stocking shelves. Or you find a flexible online job you can do from home in Columbia.

So you wonder: Can I work part-time and still keep my SSD benefits in SC?

At McChesney & Ours, P.C., this is one of the top questions we hear. The answer is yes, you can work — but you need to know exactly how much you can earn and what rules to follow so you don’t accidentally lose your benefits.

How Much Can You Earn While on Social Security Disability in SC?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a limit called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). If you earn too much, the SSA may decide you no longer qualify as “disabled.”

For 2025, the monthly SGA limits are:

$1,620 per month for most people

$2,700 per month for people who are legally blind

If you earn under these amounts, your monthly SSD benefits in South Carolina generally stay the same. If you earn more, your payments can stop.

What Is a Trial Work Period?

If you want to try working without immediately losing your benefits, the SSA offers a Trial Work Period (TWP). This gives you a chance to see if you can handle a job long-term.

Here’s how it works in 2025:

  • Any month where you earn more than $1,160 counts as a TWP month
  • You’re allowed up to 9 TWP months (they don’t have to be back-to-back)
  • During these months, you’ll still receive your full SSD benefits, no matter how much you earn

After your Trial Work Period ends, the SSA will review your case to decide if your benefits should continue.

Programs Like Ticket to Work

SSA’s Ticket to Work program gives people extra help getting job training, updating their skills, and easing back into work — without immediately losing benefits. If you’re thinking about returning to work while on SSD in South Carolina, this program could be worth exploring.

How Working Can Affect Your Disability Benefits

If you go over the earnings limit or don’t report your income correctly, you might be required to pay money back or risk having your benefits stop suddenly.

That’s why it’s smart to get advice from a Social Security Disability lawyer in South Carolina before you start any new job, side hustle, or self-employment. A lawyer can explain:

  • How much you can safely earn
  • How to report your income
  • How to avoid unexpected problems with your SSD payments

At McChesney & Ours, P.C., we help people all over South Carolina — from Spartanburg to Charleston — protect their SSD benefits and plan ahead.

Talk to a South Carolina Social Security Disability Lawyer

Thinking about working while getting Social Security Disability? Don’t risk your benefits by guessing what the rules allow. Our team at McChesney & Ours, P.C. can help you understand the SSA’s limits, your rights, and the best next steps.

‍Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Social Security Disability lawyer in South Carolina. We’ll help you protect your benefits and your peace of mind.