Trial Work Period (TWP)

All beneficiaries are entitled to a nine-month "Trial Work Period" (TWP):

• Allows the person to try out work without jeopardizing eligibility or benefits;
• Entitlement to a TWP begins the month the person is determined eligible for benefits. Once wages are reported to SSA, an SSA 821 will be completed (see Forms Section);
• Any gross earnings of over $560.00 a month constitute a Trial Work Period, including COOP Work experiences (students working while in school, i.e.: transitional work experiences) summer work, part-time jobs while in college or other educational training programs or paid vocational evaluations.
• The months do not have to be consecutive.
• As of January 1, 2001, the TWP monthly amount will be adjusted yearly based on increases in the National Average Wage Index.

January 1, 2002	$560.00
January 1, 2001	$530.00
January 1, 1990	$200.00
Through December 31, 1989	$75.00

Effective January 1, 1992: If a person has at least one Trial Work Month on January 1, 1992, they will be eligible to use the 60-month rolling time period (date of employment count backwards — see chart). This means that the Trial Work Period will renew itself every 60 months, if the beneficiary has not entered the EPE and has no earned income or income less than $200.00 a month. A person will get a new TWP every time s/he becomes re-entitled to a new period of disability by filing a new application.

People will not get notification of TWP months. The Title II beneficiary will be notified after the TWP has been completed. After the completion of the TWP, a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) is done and a determination is made.

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