Can I Start My Own Business While I'm on Social Security Disability?

Full question:

If I wanted to start a business while on disability, how can I keep my insurance? I have ending stage renal decease.

• Category: Social Security
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Michigan

Answer:

The following is from the Social Security Administration:

"In 2010, we consider your work to be “services” if your gross earnings are more than $720 a month, or if you work more than 80 hours in self-employment in a month.

What happens when you complete your Trial Work Period TWP? After you complete your TWP, you begin your Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), unless we conduct a continuing disability review and find your impairment has medically improved. After the TWP ends, we take into account your work and earnings to decide if you can work at the SGA level (see the section on SGA). When your TWP is complete, you become eligible for other employment supports and we consider whether any of them apply to your situation.

What else do you need to know about the TWP? You are not eligible for disability benefits or a TWP if you work at the SGA level within 12 months of the start of your impairment(s) and before we approve your claim for disability benefits. This is because your impairment does not meet our definition of disability."

SSA can consider medical evidence that might demonstrate your medical recovery at any time. Therefore, it is possible for your benefits to stop due to your medical recovery before the end of your TWP. SSA will not conduct a continuing disability review if you are participating in the Ticket to Work program and you are using your ticket. Unsuccessful Work Attempts (UWA) do not apply during the TWP. The dollar amount of TWP “services” can be adjusted each year based on the national average wage.

Please see the information at the following link:

http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/eng/ssdi-only-employment-supports.htm
http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/eng/returning-to-work.htm