What happens during the Trial Work Period (TWP)?

During the Trial Work Period (TWP), beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can test their ability to work for at least nine months without affecting their cash benefits. This period is designed to encourage individuals to attempt to return to work while providing them with a safety net. While participating in the TWP, beneficiaries can earn any amount of money without having their SSDI benefits suspended, as long as they report their earnings. This allows individuals to assess their capacity to maintain employment and earn income, reducing the fear of losing financial assistance as they transition back into the workforce.

The other options do not accurately represent the purpose or effects of the TWP. Benefits are not suspended during this period, there are no mandatory re-evaluations that occur solely because of the TWP, and work earnings are not subjected to heavy taxation simply by virtue of being earned under the TWP. Rather, the emphasis during the TWP is on providing beneficiaries with a supportive environment to explore work opportunities without the immediate pressure of losing their benefits.