You can do a limited amount of work and still get SSDI benefits and medicare.

Social Security Administration encourages work activity and there are special program rules and work incentives that help you try to return to work while still receiving monthly disability payments. Read the SSA publication Working While Disabled at https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf for more information. Be aware that there are specific rules for self-employment.

You need to let Social Security know when you begin and if you stop working. If you try to work but have to stop working because of your disability, SSA generally considers it an unsuccessful work attempt. However, if you are able to do substantial gainful work activity over the course of time, you could be found to be not disabled. While you are involved in work incentives, you receive your benefits.Two important work incentives under SSDI are:

Trial Work Period (TWP) – During the TWP, you can work and still keep your full monthly SSDI check. The TWP lasts for 9 months in a 60-month timeframe.

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) – After the TWP, there is an EPE during which you can receive your full SSDI check for any month on which you were not able to earn substantial gainful activity. The EPE lasts for up to a 36-month timeframe.

For more information about work incentives and other work options, see http://www.ssa.gov/redbook and https://choosework.ssa.gov. You may also want to consult a disability lawyer before you start working. Good luck to you.