Adults 55+
Trainings & Guidance
Your Experience Matters.
Your Next Chapter Starts Here.
Free Trainings · WorkOnward · SSI & SSDI Guidance · Federal & State Agencies
Age 55+
Re-entering or changing careers
Low-Income
Income-qualifying adults
Unemployed
Currently unemployed or underemployed
Any Background
No work history requirement
Digital Skills Basics
Modern Resume Writing
Interview Confidence
LinkedIn & Online Profile
Benefits Navigation
Peer Mentorship
Job Placement Support
SCSEP Connection
Multilingual Support
Healthcare Aide Certification Prep
Customer Service & Retail Skills
Administrative & Clerical Skills
- Addressing the Age Question Gracefully
- Staying Current with Technology
- What Types of Jobs Are Best for Older Adults?
- Will Returning to Work Affect My Benefits?
- How to Talk About Your Experience as a Strength
Ready to Explore WorkOnward?
You will be taken to an external website. ARS remains your support contact.
Benefits & Agency Directory
If I go back to work, will I lose my benefits?
This is the most common question older adults ask — and a completely reasonable one. The rules around Social Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, and Medi-Cal can feel complicated, and the stakes feel high.
The honest answer is: it depends on your specific situation. The only way to know for certain is to speak with a qualified benefits counselor before you accept any job offer. The resources below connect you with the right people at every level of government.
ARS Note: ARS Workability is also here for this conversation. We will follow up with every job candidate who has questions — at no cost and with no pressure.
Will working affect my SSI?
SSI has specific earned income rules but doesn't automatically stop
I’m on SSDI — can I try working without losing it?
can I try working without losing it? — Yes. The Trial Work Period and Ticket to Work protect you
Will I lose Medicare or Medi-Cal?
Medicare often continues after you return to work. Medi-Cal rules differ
Who do I call for an official answer?
SSA, HICAP, and CDSS are the authoritative sources
Understanding Benefits & Employment:
SSI, SSDI, and Medicare
Before exploring jobs, every older adult who receives government benefits should understand how earning income affects each program. Here is a plain-language overview of the four most common questions we hear.
Panel 01
SSI & Work (Supplemental Security Income)
SSI is needs-based for low-income individuals 65+, blind, or disabled. Working income affects your SSI payment — but does not automatically eliminate it.
- SSA excludes the first $85/month of earned income, then reduces SSI by $1 for every $2 earned above that threshold
- You may still receive a reduced SSI payment while working
- The PASS program lets you set aside income toward a work goal
- Report all earnings to SSA immediately — unreported income creates overpayments
Panel 02
SSDI & Returning to Work (Social Security Disability Insurance)
SSDI has built-in protections that let you test your ability to work without immediately losing benefits.
- Trial Work Period (TWP): work up to 9 months and still receive full SSDI regardless of earnings
- Any month earning over $1,110 counts as a Trial Work month (2024 figure)
- A 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility follows the TWP
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit: $1,550/month (2024, non-blind)
- Ticket to Work: free program that suspends disability reviews while you work
Panel 03
Retirement & Work (Social Security Retirement Benefits)
Rules depend on whether you have reached your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 66–67 depending on your birth year.
- After reaching FRA: you can earn any amount without any reduction to your retirement benefit
- Before FRA: $1 withheld for every $2 earned above $22,320/year (2024)
- Year you reach FRA: $1 withheld for every $3 earned above $59,520 (2024)
- Working more may actually increase your benefit over time
Panel 04
Health Coverage & Work (Medicare & Medi-Cal)
Fear of losing health insurance is one of the biggest barriers. Understanding your protections removes that barrier.
- If on SSDI: Medicare continues for at least 7 years and 9 months after your Trial Work Period ends — even if cash benefits stop
- Medicare generally not affected by employment income for those 65+
- Medi-Cal has income thresholds — earning more may affect eligibility
- Covered California may offer subsidized plans if you exceed Medi-Cal limits
- HICAP counselors (free) review exactly how work affects your specific coverage
Federal Agencies (4)
The authoritative sources for Social Security, Medicare, and federal workforce rules. When you need an official answer about your benefits, these agencies are the primary contacts.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Scope: Federal · Primary Contact · Free
- SSI income and resource rules when working
- SSDI Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility
- Social Security retirement earnings limits by age
- Ticket to Work enrollment (free program)
- Benefit verification letters
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Medicare
Scope: Federal · Health Coverage · Free
- Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D — overview and enrollment
- Coordination with employer health insurance when returning to work
- Medicare Savings Programs for lower premiums
- Ticket to Work enrollment (free program)
- Extra Help for low-income beneficiaries (Part D)
U.S. Department of Labor — SCSEP & Workforce Programs
Scope: Federal · 55+ · Free
- SCSEP: federally funded paid job training program for low-income adults 55+
- WIOA Title II workforce programs
- Age discrimination rights (ADEA)
- America's Job Centers referrals
Administration for Community Living (ACL) — Eldercare Locator
Scope: Federal · 55+ · Free
- Eldercare Locator — find local senior services nationwide
- Elder rights and legal assistance programs
- Home and community-based service coordination
- Administers the Older Americans Act through Area Agencies on Aging
State of California Agencies (5)
California offers strong state-level supports for older workers and benefit recipients. These agencies provide income support, health coverage, vocational rehabilitation, and benefits counseling statewide.
HICAP — Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program
Scope: California · Medicare Experts · 55+ · Free
- How employment income affects Medicare costs — free, unbiased advice
- Medicare Savings Programs (help with premiums)
- Medi-Cal spend-down when income increases from employment
- Medicare and employer insurance coordination
- Appeals and billing problem assistance
California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
Scope: California · Free
- Medi-Cal eligibility and income reporting rules when starting work
- CalFresh earned income deductions
- CAPI — Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants
- Transition period protections when income increases
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Scope: California · Free
- State Disability Insurance (SDI) — income protection during illness or injury
- Paid Family Leave (PFL)
- Unemployment Insurance if a job ends
- CalJOBS labor market and job search tools
Covered California
Scope: California · Free to Enroll
- ACA-subsidized health plans for working adults who exceed Medi-Cal income limits
- Medi-Cal to Covered California transition assistance
- Premium tax credit eligibility
- Special enrollment periods when coverage status changes
California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
Scope: California · Free
- Vocational rehabilitation eligibility and planning for adults with disabilities
- Training and education funding
- Assistive technology evaluation
- Benefits planning within the DOR program
- DOR partners closely with ARS as a co-serving agency
Los Angeles City & County Agencies (4)
For those in the greater Los Angeles area, these local government agencies provide on-the-ground services including benefits navigation, senior employment support, and in-person assistance.
LA County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)
Scope: LA County · Free
- Medi-Cal income reporting and transitions when starting work
- CalFresh recertification and earnings reporting
- General Relief for adults not covered by other programs
- IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) assessments for eligible older adults
Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Scope: LA County · 55+ · Free
- SCSEP local enrollment for adults 55+ across all 88 LA County cities
- Benefits counseling and enrollment assistance
- Legal aid for elder rights
- Multilingual and culturally specific programs
City of Los Angeles Department of Aging
Scope: City of LA · 55+ · Free
- 16 senior centers across the city — in-person employment and benefits help
- Benefits enrollment and program navigation
- CalFresh and SNAP enrollment support
- Multilingual staff serving diverse communities
211 LA — Community Resource Hotline
Scope: LA County · Free · Available 24/7
- Referral to senior employment programs near you — call 2-1-1
- Benefits enrollment assistance
- Food, housing, and emergency services navigation
- Available in 100+ languages, 24 hours a day
National Organizations Supporting Adults 55+ (4)
These nonprofit organizations exist specifically to serve older adults navigating employment, benefits, and financial security — with free helplines, counseling, and research available to anyone in the country.
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA)
Scope: Nationwide · AAPI · 55+ · Culturally Specific · Free
- SSI, SSDI, and Social Security counseling — multilingual helpline
- SCSEP subsidized employment training specifically for AAPI adults 55+
- Medicare and Medi-Cal enrollment assistance
- Elder rights advocacy at the federal level
- The leading national nonprofit specifically serving AAPI older adults
National Council on Aging (NCOA) — BenefitsCheckUp
Scope: Nationwide · 55+ · Benefits Screening · Free
- BenefitsCheckUp: free online tool screening eligibility for 2,000+ programs
- Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy)
- SCSEP program referrals
- Economic security resources and advocacy for older adults
AARP Foundation — Back to Work 50+
Scope: Nationwide · 55+ · Free
- Free career coaching and job search assistance for adults 50+
- Social Security claiming strategy guides and online calculators
- Age discrimination rights and ADEA educational resources
- Age-friendly employer pledge network — employers committed to hiring older workers
Senior Service America — SCSEP
Scope: Nationwide · 55+ · Free
- SCSEP: paid part-time community service work experience while building skills
- Eligibility: age 55+, income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level
- Skills training alongside placement
- Transition support to permanent, unsubsidized employment
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
Every older adult’s benefits situation is different. Whether you’re on SSI, SSDI, Social Security retirement, Medi-Cal, or a combination — ARS Workability is here to talk through what returning to work could mean for you specifically. We’ll walk through your questions, connect you with the right agency or counselor, and follow up at every stage.
Reassurance note: All services are free · Confidential · No pressure · Available in multiple languages