In 2016 you can earn up to $809 dollars a month and not have it count as a Trial Work month; at $810 a month it will count as a trial work month and is considered "Substantial Gainful Activity". You are allowed up to nine trial work months and they do not have to consecutive or in a row to count. If you meet the Substantial Gainful activity standard of earning $810 dollars for more than 9 months, your social security would be in jeopardy.

From what you described, you not only did not earn enough to be considered substantially employed for that month, let alone 9 months. They are just following up to confirm that. The system is designed so that you can try working, just like you did without repercussions. No worries.

Though be sure to note on the form they sent for what dates they want the work history to go back to; some times it is years, not just the most recent work history. Be careful of that.

Good for you in trying to work. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it does not. But it is always worth trying to see what might be. Remember too, failure isn't fatal and it turned out to be success too because you had the courage to challenge yourself to get out there and to try something different: meet new people and learn new skills. You also have found out something new about yourself, that it wasn't a good fit and if you hadn't tried it, you would never have known being left to wonder. Sending good wishes your way.