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Small Business Webinar: SSDI and SSI and Self-Employment (Two-Part Event)
Learn the basics of SSDI in March and SSI in April and how to pursue self-employment. This two-part series is presented by experts from Cornell University. Recordings will be available after each event.
March 18, 2026: SSDI and Self-Employment
If you receive (or work with recipients of) SSDI benefits, did you know there are work incentives if you are interested in, or begin to, work?
This session will take you through the basics of SSDI eligibility and all available work incentives, such as:
- the Trial Work Period,
- the Re-Entitlement Period,
- Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) and
- Subsidies and Special Conditions.
Have you (or your recipient) performed Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) in a month? Are you sure? Using the work incentives we can reduce “gross wages” to “countable wages” and find that you remain eligible for a cash SSDI payment.
At this event, you will learn:
- About the disability standard of the SSDI program.
- How to determine if your recipient’s wages are really SGA.
- About the progressive work incentives of the SSDI program.
For VR and other professionals: this series will be a great “primer” for the upcoming Self-Employment training that will be offered in June 2026.
View the Zoom recording with ASL and captions
View the recording on YouTube (coming soon!)
View and download the presentation slides
Download Questions and Answers (coming soon!)
April 15, 2026: SSI and Self-Employment
SSI is a very complex program. Categorical eligibility, resource eligibility and income reporting can all be overwhelming for you (or your recipient). How does work impact benefits?
This session will take you through the disability and financial eligibility criteria and follow up with the significant work incentives allowed by the SSI program. You will learn how benefits planning can be very effective when an SSI recipient becomes interested in work or has begun working.
At this event, you will learn:
- About the “welfare” nature of the SSI program.
- How to calculate an SSI payment.
- How work incentives can protect cash payments.
ASL Interpretation and Captioning will be provided. To make a reasonable accommodation request or if you have questions about this session, please email Laura Thrasher at lthrasher@ndi-inc.org. Please allow at least 3-5 business days’ advance notice; last-minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fulfill.
The contents of this webinar were developed under grant H421F240198 from the U.S. Department of Education (Department). The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities described or discussed in this document. The contents of this webinar may contain examples of, adaptations of, and links to resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The content of this webinar does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department. This publication is not intended to represent the views or policy of or be an endorsement of any views expressed, or materials provided by any Federal agency (EDGAR 75.620).
All personal data will be kept confidential, and we will not share individual demographic data with any third party. National Disability Institute (NDI) collects data to help secure future funding to create programs that serve the community.