Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a benchmark called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether an individual is still eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits based on their ability to work. This threshold is crucial in deciding whether someone’s work activity is considered “too much” for them to still qualify as disabled. The concept of SGA is grounded in the idea that someone who can earn a substantial income may not need disability benefits, while those who earn below the threshold can still receive assistance despite some work activity.

In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals. This means that if your earnings exceed $1,550 per month, the SSA may conclude that you are capable of performing substantial work and may stop providing you with SSDI benefits. If you earn under the SGA limit, the SSA will consider your work as being insufficient to disqualify you from SSDI benefits, allowing you to continue receiving them.

It’s important to understand that the SGA limit is not an arbitrary figure. It is designed to reflect the amount of work that someone with a disability can reasonably do while still maintaining the status of being unable to engage in full-time employment. Essentially, it allows individuals who are working part-time to stay active in the workforce and still receive their benefits, provided they stay under this threshold.

Working below the SGA limit allows you to:

• Keep receiving your SSDI benefits: As long as your earnings stay below the SGA limit, you can continue to receive monthly SSDI payments.
• Stay active in the workforce: Part-time work enables you to contribute to the workforce, develop new skills, and engage with your community without compromising your benefits.
• Demonstrate effort while protecting your claim: By working below the SGA limit, you can demonstrate your willingness to return to work while still managing your disability. This shows the SSA that you are making an effort to be productive without overstepping the boundaries of your disability.

However, it’s important to understand that working below the SGA limit doesn’t guarantee that the SSA won’t review or reevaluate your case. They may look at other factors, such as the type of work you do and whether it conflicts with the limitations you have as part of your disability claim.

Use of the Trial Work Period (TWP)

The SSA has developed the Trial Work Period (TWP) to give SSDI recipients an opportunity to test their ability to work without risking the loss of their benefits. The TWP allows you to try out working and earning income for a period without worrying that your benefits will be automatically stopped. It’s an essential option for individuals who want to see if they can return to work but are concerned about the impact on their benefits.

The Trial Work Period allows SSDI recipients to earn any amount of income for up to nine months within a 60-month period without losing their benefits. These nine months do not have to be consecutive. This means that if you try working part-time or full-time for a month but then need to stop for medical reasons or other factors, you can still use up to nine months of trial work over the course of five years. The flexibility of the program is designed to help individuals test their ability to work without the pressure of losing their financial support if they are not able to continue working at full capacity.

As of 2025, any month in which you earn more than $1,110 will count as a Trial Work Month (TWM). The key point here is that the TWP is a flexible program that doesn’t impose strict limits on how much you can earn each month, as long as you are below the SGA threshold. You are free to work as much as you are able without worrying about your SSDI benefits being suspended, as long as your total trial work months do not exceed the nine-month limit within the five-year period.

After you complete your nine Trial Work Months, your case enters the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). The EPE lasts for 36 months, and during this time, you can still receive SSDI benefits in any month that you earn below the SGA limit. The EPE is designed to provide additional support for those who may not yet be able to consistently work full-time. For example, if you go over the SGA limit in one month but drop below it in the following month, you can still receive benefits during that second month.

Be Cautious with Part-Time Work

Even if you are working part-time and your earnings stay below the SGA limit, the SSA will assess the type of work you are doing to ensure that it doesn’t contradict your disability claim. The SSA wants to ensure that your disability prevents you from doing substantial work activity, and they will look at more than just your income when determining your eligibility.

When assessing your work activity, the SSA considers factors such as:

• Are you performing skilled tasks? If the tasks you are performing require significant skills or qualifications, it may indicate that you are capable of working at a higher level than what is consistent with your claimed disability.
• Does your work suggest you could handle full-time employment? If your part-time job involves responsibilities that would normally be associated with full-time employment, the SSA may review whether your disability prevents you from performing such work.
• Does your work conflict with your claimed limitations? For example, if your disability limits your ability to perform physical tasks but your part-time work involves manual labor, the SSA may question whether your claimed disability is accurate or if you are capable of more work than your benefits suggest.

If the SSA determines that your work activity contradicts your disability claim or suggests that you are capable of full-time employment, they may reevaluate your eligibility for SSDI benefits. This could result in a suspension or termination of your benefits, so it is essential to ensure that your work aligns with your claimed limitations and disability.

To avoid problems with the SSA, make sure to:

• Report your work activity regularly: You must report any part-time work or changes in your earnings to the SSA. Failing to do so could result in overpayments or delays in your benefits.
• Maintain detailed records: Keep track of your hours worked, job duties, and income. This documentation will be essential if the SSA requests more information or if you need to explain any discrepancies.
• Consult with a disability attorney or advocate: If you are unsure whether your part-time work could affect your SSDI eligibility, consider consulting with a professional. They can help ensure that your work activities don’t jeopardize your benefits.

Conclusion

The Trial Work Period (TWP) and Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits are important tools for SSDI recipients who want to test their ability to return to work while maintaining their benefits. The TWP gives you the opportunity to earn as much as you can without losing your SSDI benefits, while the SGA limit ensures that those who are unable to engage in substantial work activity are still protected. By understanding these programs and following the guidelines set forth by the SSA, you can find a balance between returning to work and receiving the support you need.

The Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) also provides an additional layer of security, allowing you to continue receiving benefits for up to 36 months after your TWP ends. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the SSA will evaluate the type of work you do and whether it conflicts with your disability claim. By being diligent about reporting your work activity, maintaining accurate records, and consulting with professionals, you can ensure that your work and benefits remain in compliance with SSA rules.

If you plan to return to work while receiving SSDI, always consult with the SSA or a disability attorney to avoid any complications. By carefully navigating the rules and utilizing the resources available to you, you can confidently return to work and support yourself without sacrificing your SSDI benefits.