Small Business Webinar: SSDI and SSI and Self-Employment (Two-Part Event)
Overview: 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.
Webinar Series Part 2 of 2
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern Time | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Central Time
April 15, 2026: SSI and Self-Employment
Register for the April 15 Webinar
Description: 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.
Webinar Series Part 1 of 2
March 18, 2026: SSDI and Self-Employment
[Note: This webinar was held on March 18, 2026. Archived webinar available here.]
Description: 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.
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.
English