Wichita Falls – October 07, 2026 -- Many people with disabilities avoid taking a job because they believe any paycheck will instantly cut off their Social Security benefits, but that assumption is often wrong. David Toogood, an expert on empowering people with disabilities at Work Services Corporation in Wichita Falls, Texas, says Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) both allow work under specific rules rather than cutting people off the moment they earn income.
SSDI includes a trial work period before benefits change.
SSDI is tied to a person's work history and the Social Security taxes they've paid, and benefits continue as long as the person still meets the program's disability guidelines. Certain earnings levels can reduce or end SSDI payments, but trial work periods let recipients test employment without immediately losing support.SSI payments shift with income, but not all earnings count against recipients.
SSI is needs-based, so monthly payments can change as income rises. The program excludes various types of income from its calculations, which means recipients often keep more of their earnings than expected.Medicaid and Medicare coverage can continue after someone returns to work.
SSI recipients may retain Medicaid if their income stays under certain limits, and SSDI recipients can often keep Medicare for an extended period after going back to work.Ticket to Work offers job training while protecting benefits.
This Social Security initiative provides vocational rehabilitation and employment support, letting participants keep their benefits while they prepare for and transition into jobs.ABLE accounts let people save money without losing eligibility.
These accounts allow individuals with disabilities to set aside funds for housing, education, and healthcare costs without those savings counting against SSI or Medicaid asset limits.Toogood notes that benefit rules vary by individual circumstance, and small errors can carry significant consequences, which is why many families turn to benefits counselors or disability organizations for guidance. He adds that there's no single right path: some people find stability through part-time work, while others use Ticket to Work or trial work periods as steps toward full-time employment. The goal, he says, is for people to understand the rules well enough to make choices suited to their own goals.