The earnings limit that matters
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has a monthly earnings limit called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold. In 2024, you can earn up to $1,550 per month without losing your benefits. If you earn more than that in a month, Social Security will review whether you can still be considered disabled, and your benefits may stop.
The SGA amount changes each year. Social Security announces the new figure in November for the following year, so the 2025 limit will be different from 2024. You can find the current year's SGA threshold on the Social Security website or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
This limit applies to your gross earnings — the money before taxes are taken out. It does not matter whether you work full-time or part-time; what matters is the total you earn in a calendar month.
Key Takeaways
- You can earn up to the monthly SGA threshold (currently $1,550 in 2024) without automatically losing your SSDI benefits, but Social Security will still review your case.
- The SGA amount increases each year, and you should check the current figure before you start working or increase your hours.
- Earnings above the SGA threshold may trigger a medical review to determine whether you remain disabled under Social Security's definition.
- Work incentives like the Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access Period let you test your ability to work without losing benefits when ready.
- Self-employment income counts toward the SGA limit, and the calculation is more complex than wages from an employer.
What happens if you earn above the limit
Earning more than the SGA threshold does not automatically end your benefits that month. Instead, it signals to Social Security that you may no longer be disabled. Social Security will send you a letter asking about your work and your condition. They may schedule a medical review or ask you to report on your symptoms and limitations.
If Social Security determines that your earnings show you can do substantial work, your benefits will stop. You will receive notice of this decision and have the right to request reconsideration. The key question Social Security asks is not "Can you do any work?" but "Can you do work that pays above the SGA threshold?" If the answer is yes, they will end your case.
This does not happen when ready. There is usually a delay between the month you earn above the limit and when Social Security reviews your case. During that time, you continue to receive your regular monthly payment.
The Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access Period
Social Security offers two work incentives designed to let you test whether you can return to work without losing benefits when ready. The Trial Work Period (TWP) lets you work and earn any amount for nine months without affecting your benefits. These nine months do not have to be consecutive — they are spread across a rolling 60-month window.
After your Trial Work Period ends, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period (EEP), which lasts 36 months. During the EEP, if you earn above the SGA threshold in any month, your benefits stop for that month only. When your earnings drop below the threshold the next month, your benefits resume. This gives you a cushion to try work without a permanent loss of benefits.
Once the Extended may be able to access Period ends, the regular SGA rule applies: earnings above the threshold can lead to a medical review and potential termination of your case. You should track your Trial Work Period months carefully and ask Social Security for a written record of which months count toward your nine.
Self-employment and business income
If you are self-employed or own a business, Social Security counts your net profit — not your gross revenue — toward the SGA limit. Net profit is what you keep after paying business expenses like supplies, rent, or equipment.
Social Security also looks at whether you are doing "substantial services" in your business, meaning you are working a significant number of hours or performing important business functions. Even if your net profit is below the SGA threshold, Social Security may still consider you engaged in substantial work if you are putting in substantial effort.
Self-employment calculations are more complex than wage calculations, and mistakes are common. If you are self-employed or planning to start a business, contact your local Social Security office or a work incentives planning project (WIPP) counselor before you begin. These counselors are free and can help you understand how your specific business situation affects your benefits.
How to report your earnings
You are required to report your work and earnings to Social Security. The way you report depends on your situation. If you receive your benefits by direct deposit and have a my Social Security account, you can report earnings online through that account. You can also report by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office.
Social Security also receives wage information from your employer through tax records, so underreporting is not a strategy. If your reported earnings do not match what Social Security receives from your employer, you will be contacted to clarify the difference.
Report your earnings as soon as you know what they will be for the month. Do not wait until the end of the month or until you file taxes. The sooner Social Security has accurate information, the sooner they can tell you whether your benefits will be affected.
Work incentives beyond the SGA threshold
Social Security offers other work incentives that can help you keep some benefits even if you earn above the SGA threshold. The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal without it counting against your benefits. For example, you could use a PASS to save money for job training or to buy equipment you need for self-employment.
The Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) deduction lets you subtract the cost of items or services you need because of your disability in order to work. If you need a personal assistant, medication, medical equipment, or transportation related to your disability, these costs may be deductible from your earnings when Social Security calculates whether you have exceeded the SGA threshold.
These work incentives have specific rules and require paperwork. A work incentives planning project counselor can help you understand whether you may have access to and how to set them up. WIPP services are free and are available in every state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I earn exactly the SGA amount in a month?
Earning exactly at the SGA threshold does not automatically trigger a review. Social Security's concern is earnings above the threshold. However, if you are consistently earning near or at the limit, Social Security may eventually review your case to determine whether your condition has improved.
Do I lose all my benefits if I earn above the SGA threshold?
Not necessarily. If you are in your Trial Work Period or Extended may be able to access Period, the rules are different. Even outside those periods, earning above the threshold triggers a review — it does not automatically end your benefits. Social Security must determine that you can do substantial work before terminating your case.
Can I work part-time and still receive SSDI?
Yes. Part-time work is common among SSDI beneficiaries. What matters is your total monthly earnings, not the number of hours you work. You can work part-time and stay below the SGA threshold, or you can use the Trial Work Period to test part-time work without losing benefits.
Does my spouse's income count toward the SGA limit?
No. Only your own earnings count toward the SGA threshold. Your spouse's income does not affect your SSDI benefits. SSDI is based on your own work history and your own current earnings.
What if I stop working — do my benefits come back automatically?
If you stop working and your earnings drop below the SGA threshold, your benefits will resume, but not automatically. You must report that you have stopped working. Contact Social Security and let them know your work has ended. They will restart your benefits once they have the information.