Timely Progress Toward Self-Sufficiency

The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets guidelines to find out whether you are making timely progress towards self-supporting employment. SSA uses these guidelines to decide whether you are working at levels that will eliminate your dependence upon benefits.

For the initial 24 months:

You must be actively participating in an employment plan.

This period begins the first month after you assign your ticket.

For the next 12 months:

You must work for at least 3 of the 12 months at the level of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). These months do not need to be consecutive. Any work that you perform above SGA levels during your initial 24-month period can be counted towards meeting the work requirements of the first 12-month work review period.

This is the first 12-month work review period.

For the next 12 months:

You must work for at least 6 of the 12 months at the level of SGA for non-blind beneficiaries. These months do not need to be consecutive.

This is the second 12-month work review period.

For subsequent 12 month periods:

You must work for at least 6 of the 12 months at a level sufficient to stop the SSI or SSDI cash payment. These months do not need to be consecutive.

Months in which your ticket is not assigned to an EN or a State VR agency, will not be counted towards the initial 24-month period.

If you reassign your ticket to another agency during an extension period in the initial 24-month period, you can get a new first 24-month period.