SSA Red Book: Work Incentives Explained

Receipt of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits from the Social Security Administration is based on a few things. Some of their basic requirements include whether your disabling medical condition is listed in the SSA Blue Book and the severity of how your condition interferes with your ability to perform your typical work tasks. Other than their Blue Book, the Social Security Administration provides another book, The Red Book, for those who are receiving SSDI. This book includes various support and point of contacts for those suffering with disabilities, including:

• Work Incentive Liaisons (WIL)
• Area Work Incentive Coordinators (AWIC)
• Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has developed various work incentive programs that are designed to assist those suffering from a disabling medical condition to get back into the workforce; However, some incentivized work programs may affect the disabled worker’s benefit amount.

Work Incentive Programs

The following are various work incentive programs available for those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Trial Work Period

This work incentive program is determined based on the SSA who will allow you to continue receiving your SSDI benefits in full for your first nine months as you return to work.  The months need not be consecutive. At the SSA’s discretion, you may be eligible to continue receiving your full SSDI benefit amount depending on your specific condition and the discretion of the SSA. The idea is to give you a sense of financial security while feeling comfortable as you try and go back to work.

Ticket to Work

This incentivized work program from the SSA began in 1999 and was intended to help SSDI and SSI beneficiaries get back to work and satisfy work goals with a continued financial safety net and the necessary support. Under this program, the SSA will help you get back to work through the use of free employment services and various networks of employment.

Are You Looking to Get Back to Work?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers various work incentive programs that are designed to provide financial security while you make an effort to get back to work. Some work incentive programs offered are trial work periods or ticket to work programs.