"After waiting months or years to receive SSDI benefits, people may be concerned that if they try to return to work and fail, they will lose their benefits and have to start the process all over again," said Tricia Blazier, personal financial planning manager at Allsup. "However, there are rules that allow disability beneficiaries to return to work while still maintaining their benefits to assist them in the transition if they are able to return to the workforce."

Under Social Security rules, a person can work while still maintaining SSDI benefits by:

• Earning a minimum amount. For people who earn less than $720 a month (in 2012), employment won't affect their benefits.
• Undertaking a trial work period. During the trial work period, a person is allowed to work for at least nine months over a consecutive 60-month period and still receive full SSDI benefits. During those nine months, the person earns at least $720 per month (in 2012) or is self-employed and spends more than 80 hours per month in his or her own business.
• Participating in the extended eligibility period. After the trial work period, individuals have 36 months during which they can work and still receive benefits if earnings are not "substantial." For 2012, earnings are substantial if they are $1,010 or more (or $1,690 for people who are blind).

Even after benefits stop (because of substantial earnings), people still have five years in which they can have their benefits reinstated — if they must stop working because of their disability. This grace period does not require an additional SSDI application. Medicare Part A continues at least 93 months after the nine-month trial work period.

The Social Security Administration also offers the Ticket to Work program, which provides free job-related employment support, including vocational rehabilitation, training and job referrals.