Many people suffer from a work disability that keeps them from being employed. If the employee can find reasonable work, he or she can do so and not lose his or her benefits. The guidelines are, according to the Social Security Administration:

• You can work during a trial period for at least nine month. During this time, you will receive your full Social Security benefits regardless of how much you are earning as long as you report your work activity and you continue to have a disabling impairment
• Once the trial period is over, you have 36 months when you can still work and receive benefits any month that your earnings are not substantial. Check with the Social Security Administration to find out how much is considered "substantial" in your case
• You have five years to ask for reinstatement of your benefits if the stopped because your earnings were substantial. You do not have to file another disability claim