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(MRG) UPDATED: APRIL 2008 40 CATEGORICAL FACTORS SSI-RELATED TRIAL WORK PERIOD Policy: A trial work period (TWP) is a period during which a certified disabled individual may test his or her ability to work and still maintain disability status. During this trial work period, an individual who is still medically impaired may perform “services” in as many as nine (9), not necessarily consecutive, months. “Services” in this section means any activity in employment or self-employment for pay or profit or the kind of activity normally done for pay or profit. Effective January 1, 2005, a trial work period month is any calendar month in which the certified disabled recipient earnings exceed the TWP level. The TWP amount changes each year. The current amount can be found in REFERENCE TRIAL WORK PERIOD. For self-employed individuals, a calendar month counts as a trial work month when his/her earnings are more than the TWP level or the individual works more than 80 hours per month. Federal regulations provide for annual cost of living adjustments to the trial work threshold amount. References: Dept. Reg. 360-5.9 GISs 06MA/029 04 MA/031 Disability Manual Interpretation: For the purpose of calculating the number of months associated with a trial work period, the time spent on certain activities is NOT considered if the activity is: 1. Part of a prescribed program of medical therapy; 2. Carried out in a hospital under the supervision of medical and/or administrative staff; 3. Not performed in an employer-employee relationship; or 4. Not normally performed for pay or profit.