Navigating work, Social Security, and Medicaid with confidence
Can you work if you're on Social Security benefits?
For many people with disabilities, this is one of the most pressing—and paralyzing—questions. The fear of losing essential government benefits often holds back individuals who are eager to join the workforce. That’s where benefits counseling comes in.
During a recent Achieva InVEST webinar, Matt Bailey, Supervisor of Benefits and Trust Administration, broke down how benefits counseling can help individuals make informed choices about employment while keeping their support systems intact.
Let’s dive into the highlights.
Benefits counseling is a personalized service that helps people with disabilities understand how working may impact their government benefits including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, housing assistance, and more.
The goal?
To remove fear and uncertainty, replacing it with clear, practical steps so people can confidently pursue employment opportunities.
Pennsylvania is one of 13 states awarded the SWTCIE (Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment) grant. It’s a statewide initiative to move people from subminimum wage jobs (often found in workshop settings) into meaningful, competitive employment in the community.
Organizations like Achieva, Kencrest, OVR, ODP, and the PA Family Network are all working together through projects like InVEST to provide wraparound support, including benefits counseling.
One of the biggest myths Matt Bailey tackled during the webinar is the idea that you’ll immediately lose your Social Security benefits if you start working. Not true!
Here’s how it really works:
You can test the waters.
Work for 9 months over a 60-month period and still keep your full SSDI check, even if you earn above the typical threshold.
After the trial period, you enter a 36-month window where benefits may continue depending on your income. If you earn under $1,620/month (2025 rate), you’ll keep your benefits.
Out-of-pocket costs (like transportation or medication related to your disability) can be deducted from your earnings, helping you stay under income limits.
Lost benefits due to work? If you stop working within 5 years because of your condition, you can reapply without starting over.
Students under 22 who receive SSI can use the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE). This allows them to earn up to
$2,350/month
$9,460/year
without reducing their SSI check. This is a powerful opportunity for young people exploring part-time work or internships.
Working might mean you’re earning (and saving) more. That’s great, but what about resource limits for programs like SSI or Medicaid?
Here’s where special tools come in:
Special Needs Trusts: Protect your savings so they don’t count against benefit limits.
PA ABLE Accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts with more flexibility—ideal for paying rent, transportation, and other daily expenses.
Matt emphasized that everyone’s situation is different. Whether you’re balancing SSDI with a part-time job or worried about how working affects your waiver services, personalized counseling is key.
Achieva’s team, including Matt, offers one-on-one support to help individuals and families navigate all of this with clarity.
The big takeaway?
You can work and still keep your benefits.
You just need the right information and support to do it.
Benefits counseling takes the guesswork out of employment planning. Whether you're a parent, a self-advocate, or a support professional, connecting with the InVEST team or Achieva’s Benefits Counseling department is a great first step.
Reach out to:
Matt Bailey, Achieva Family Trust
Jack Butler, Director of Person-Centered Supports
Amber Westwood, InVEST Project Coordinator