What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?
SGA is the monthly earnings threshold Social Security uses to decide whether your work is substantial enough to disqualify you from SSDI. Earning above the SGA limit generally means you are not considered disabled for benefit purposes.
What is the SGA limit this year?
There are two limits, both adjusted annually: a standard limit for non-blind claimants and a higher limit for statutorily blind claimants. Only countable earnings — gross wages minus impairment-related work expenses — are compared to the limit.
What is the Trial Work Period?
The Trial Work Period lets SSDI recipients test their ability to work for up to nine months (within a rolling 60-month window) while keeping full benefits, even if earnings exceed SGA. After it ends, SGA rules resume.
Do impairment-related work expenses reduce my SGA count?
Yes. The cost of items or services you need because of your disability in order to work (special transportation, attendant care, certain medical devices) is subtracted from gross earnings before comparing to the SGA limit.