Can you get disability benefits while working?

People who are working can't collect disability if they are making more than the allotted amount that would be considered substantial gainful activity, and, as of 2015, that amount is $1,090 per month, explains Nolo. The amount is $1,820 if the person is blind.

There are exceptions to that rule, according to Nolo. For Social Security Disability Income recipients, there is a nine-month trial work period that allows the individual to make more than the substantial gainful activity amount without losing disability benefits. For 36 months afterwards, the recipient is still eligible to receive disability benefits for months in which he didn't make the substantial gainful activity amount.