Unsucessful Work Attempt (UWA)
Unsucessful Work Attempt (UWA)
There are some cases when a beneficiary may try to return to work but may only be successful for a short period of time. An Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA) is an effort to do substantial work which stopped or reduced to below Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) after 6 months or less because of a beneficiary’s impairment or removal of special conditions.
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What is it?
There are some cases when a beneficiary may try to return to work but may only be successful for a short period of time. An Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA) is an effort to do substantial work which stopped or reduced to below Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) after 6 months or less because of a beneficiary’s impairment or removal of special conditions.
How does it work?
Social Security does not want to needlessly stop a beneficiary’s payment if they try to work at the SGA level, only to find out they are unable to sustain it over time. During the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), Social Security will not count earnings during an UWA. An UWA cannot be used during the Trial Work Period or after a beneficiary has used the Grace Period. SGA level work lasting more than 6 months cannot be a UWA regardless of why it ended or was reduced below SGA.
Why is it important?
If SGA-earnings stop or reduce due to a beneficiary’s impairment or removal of special conditions, the beneficiary may still be able to receive a full SSDI check during those months if Social Security determines an UWA occurred.
Need help with this information?
DRC WIPA Intake phone number: 888-768-7058
Ticket to Work Helpline: 866-968-7842
This factsheet is funded through a Social Security cooperative agreement. Although Social Security reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official Social Security communication. We publish this factsheet at U.S. taxpayer expense.