What the 2025 SGA amount is and why it matters

The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount for 2025 is $1,550 per month for most people receiving SSDI. This is the monthly earnings threshold Social Security uses to decide whether you are still considered disabled and able to keep your benefits. If you earn more than this amount in a single month, Social Security may determine that you are performing substantial gainful activity and could stop your benefits.

The SGA amount increases each year because of the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). In 2024, the SGA amount was $1,470 per month. The 2025 increase of $80 per month reflects the 2.5% COLA that took effect in January 2025. This means you have slightly more room to earn before Social Security reviews your case.

The SGA threshold applies differently depending on your situation. If you are working and earning money, Social Security looks at your gross income — that is, what you earn before taxes and deductions. Self-employment income is calculated differently and uses net profit rather than gross revenue. Certain types of income, like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments or food stamps, do not count toward the SGA limit.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 SGA amount is $1,550 per month for non-blind SSDI recipients, an increase of $80 from 2024.
  • If you earn more than $1,550 in a single month, Social Security will review whether you can continue receiving SSDI.
  • The SGA amount is based on your gross income from work, not your net income after taxes.
  • Self-employed individuals use net profit (income minus business expenses) to calculate whether they have exceeded SGA.
  • Exceeding SGA in one month does not automatically stop your benefits — Social Security conducts a medical review first.

How Social Security uses the SGA amount to review your case

Social Security does not automatically stop your benefits the moment you earn more than $1,550 in a month. Instead, earning above the SGA amount triggers a medical continuing disability review (CDR). During this review, Social Security examines your medical records and work history to determine whether your condition has improved enough that you can work at a substantial level.

The review process typically takes several months. Social Security will send you a form asking about your medical treatment, any changes in your condition, and details about the work you are doing. You will also be asked to provide medical evidence — recent doctor's notes, test results, or hospital records — showing your current functional limitations. This is your opportunity to explain why you still cannot work full-time, even though you earned above SGA in one month.

It is important to understand that a single month of earnings above SGA does not end your case. Social Security looks at the pattern of your work and earnings over time. If you earn above SGA for nine or more months in a rolling 12-month period, that is when your benefits are more likely to be terminated. However, if you have a month where you earn above SGA but then return to lower earnings, Social Security may not take action if your medical condition has not changed.

The difference between SGA and the trial work period

SSDI includes a trial work period (TWP) that is separate from the SGA threshold. During your TWP, you can earn any amount of money without affecting your SSDI benefits. The TWP lasts for nine months — not necessarily consecutive — during which you can test your ability to work while keeping your full benefit check.

Once your TWP ends, the SGA amount becomes the standard you must stay under. If you are still working and earning above SGA after your TWP, Social Security will begin the medical review process. Many people use their TWP strategically, working part-time or in a new job to see whether they can sustain work before their benefits are at risk.

The TWP is a one-time benefit for each period of disability. If your benefits are terminated and you later return to the SSDI rolls, you may be may have access to to a new TWP, but Social Security will evaluate this on a case-by-case basis. Keep records of the months you used your TWP so you know exactly when it ends and when the SGA threshold takes effect.

Self-employment income and the SGA calculation

If you are self-employed, Social Security calculates your income differently than it does for wage earners. Instead of using your gross revenue, Social Security uses your net profit — the money left after you subtract legitimate business expenses from your total income. This means you can have higher gross revenue and still stay under the SGA amount if your expenses are substantial.

To calculate your net profit, you will need to provide Social Security with documentation of your business income and expenses. This typically includes tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, or business accounting records. Social Security will ask you to list all expenses related to running your business: supplies, equipment, rent, utilities, insurance, and wages you pay to employees. These deductions can significantly lower your net profit figure.

Self-employed individuals should track their income and expenses carefully each month. If you are unsure whether your net profit exceeds $1,550 in a given month, calculate it before the month ends so you know whether you are approaching the SGA threshold. Keeping organized records also makes it easier to respond quickly if Social Security requests documentation of your earnings.

What happens if you exceed the SGA amount

Exceeding the SGA amount in a single month does not when ready stop your benefits. Social Security will likely send you a form asking about your work and requesting updated medical information. You have the right to respond to this form and provide evidence that your medical condition still prevents you from working full-time, even though you earned above SGA in that month.

If Social Security determines during the review that your condition has improved and you can now perform substantial gainful activity, your benefits will be terminated. However, you are may have access to to a grace period: your benefits continue for the month in which you exceed SGA and for two additional months after that. This gives you time to adjust your finances while your case is being reviewed.

After your benefits end, you have the right to request reconsideration or file an appeal if you disagree with Social Security's decision. You can also request that your case be reopened if your condition worsens or if you stop working. Many people who lose benefits due to work activity later return to the SSDI rolls when their medical condition prevents them from continuing to work.

Planning your work and earnings around the SGA amount

If you are receiving SSDI and considering work, understanding the SGA amount helps you plan your earnings strategy. Some people choose to work part-time and keep their monthly earnings below $1,550 to avoid triggering a medical review. Others use their trial work period to test whether they can work full-time before their benefits are at risk.

Before you start working or increase your hours, contact Social Security and ask about your trial work period status. Ask specifically how many months of your TWP you have already used and when it will end. This information helps you make informed decisions about how much you can earn without jeopardizing your benefits. You can reach Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office.

Keep in mind that the SGA amount changes each year. In 2026, the SGA threshold will likely increase again based on that year's COLA. If you are working and earning close to the current SGA amount, plan ahead for the increase so you are not caught off guard by a higher threshold.

Special SGA rules for blind individuals

If you are blind and receiving SSDI, Social Security uses a different SGA amount. For 2025, the SGA amount for blind individuals is $2,590 per month — significantly higher than the standard $1,550. This higher threshold recognizes that blind individuals may have additional work-related expenses, such as transportation or adaptive technology, that reduce their net earnings.

To may have access to for the higher SGA amount, you must meet Social Security's definition of blindness: your vision is 20/200 or worse in your better eye with correction, or your visual field is 20 degrees or less. If you are blind and working, use the $2,590 figure to determine whether you have exceeded SGA. The same rules about trial work periods and medical reviews explore, but the higher threshold gives you more room to earn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does one month of earnings above $1,550 automatically stop my SSDI?

No. One month above SGA triggers a medical review, but does not automatically end your benefits. Social Security examines your medical records and work capacity. Your benefits continue during the review and for two additional months after you exceed SGA. Only if Social Security determines your condition has improved enough to perform substantial gainful activity will your benefits terminate.

What counts as income toward the SGA limit?

Gross wages from employment and net profit from self-employment count toward SGA. Unearned income like SSI, food stamps, housing information, and family support do not count. Bonuses, commissions, and tips are included in your gross income. If you are unsure whether a specific type of income counts, contact Social Security before you receive it.

Can I work during my trial work period without losing benefits?

Yes. During your nine-month trial work period, you can earn any amount and keep your full SSDI benefit check. After your TWP ends, the SGA amount becomes the threshold. If you earn above SGA after your TWP, Social Security will review your case. Track which months you use your TWP so you know exactly when it ends.

If I am self-employed, how do I calculate my net profit?

Subtract all legitimate business expenses from your total business income. Expenses include supplies, equipment, rent, utilities, insurance, and employee wages. Keep detailed records and tax returns to document your expenses. If your net profit exceeds $1,550 in a month, you have exceeded SGA and Social Security may conduct a review.

Will the SGA amount increase again in 2026?

Yes. The SGA amount increases each year based on the national average wage index. The exact 2026 amount will be announced in October 2025. If you are working and earning close to the current SGA limit, plan for an increase so you are prepared for the higher threshold next year.