Pekas Smith Clarifies SSDI Work Rules Across SSA Process

Pekas Smith, an Arizona law firm focused exclusively on Social Security Disability cases, is highlighting critical distinctions in how work activity affects Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits depending on where a claimant stands in the Social Security Administration (SSA) process. The firm explains that the SSA uses the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) standard to evaluate whether a person's earnings are consistent with disability eligibility, and this standard typically applies during the initial application stage. However, once benefits are approved, a separate set of work incentives—including the Trial Work Period and the Extended Period of Eligibility—governs how employment income impacts benefits. According to Jeremy D. Pekas, Founding Partner at Pekas Smith, “People receiving SSDI should understand that working does not follow one universal income rule. The effect of employment depends on whether someone is applying for benefits, using a Trial Work Period, or subject to the rules that apply after that period.” The firm emphasizes that the Trial Work Period allows approved recipients to test their capacity to work without immediately losing benefits, while the Extended Period of Eligibility determines monthly payability based on earnings and other requirements after the Trial Work Period ends. Claimants considering a return to work are advised to track wages, self-employment income, and qualifying work-related expenses, report all work activity to the SSA, and retain pay stubs and employment records. Pekas Smith also provides resources on qualifications for SSDI in Arizona and encourages individuals to contact the firm to discuss their disability claim. As an Arizona law firm representing claimants through applications, appeals, hearings, and Appeals Council reviews, Pekas Smith aims to help claimants make informed decisions about their benefits.