I understand if I get a single referral bonus from a bank for referring a friend it should be put under Schedule E passive income. But what if I did two dozen of these with various online friends, would it then be Schedule C earned income or still schedule E passive income. The reason I ask is that it is vital I report all earned income to the SSA since I am on SSDI.

Referral bonuses from banks are typically considered taxable income, but the classification can depend on the nature and frequency of these bonuses. If you receive a one-time referral bonus, it's generally considered miscellaneous income and would be reported on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8z, and then carried over to your Form 1040. This type of income is not subject to self-employment tax. However, if you are engaging in a business-like activity by regularly and repeatedly receiving referral bonuses, the IRS may consider this to be self-employment income. In that case, you would report the income on Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business). If you are earning income through Schedule C, you are also responsible for paying self-employment taxes on that income if it exceeds $400 in a year. Since you mentioned that you are on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it is indeed important to report any earned income, as it can affect your benefits. Earned income typically refers to wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee pay, as well as net earnings from self-employment. Unearned income, like interest, dividends, and some types of referral bonuses, may not affect SSDI the same way. Given the complexity of your situation and the potential implications for your SSDI benefits, I would strongly recommend consulting with a tax professional or the Social Security Administration to ensure that you report your income correctly and understand how it may affect your benefits.

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