What the 2018 SGA amount means for your SSDI benefits
The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount for 2018 was $1,180 per month for non-blind workers and $1,970 per month for blind workers. This is the earnings threshold Social Security uses to decide whether you are working at a level that counts as substantial work. If you earn more than this amount in a month, Social Security may assume you are no longer disabled and may stop or reduce your benefits.
The 2018 figure was set by Social Security in October 2017 and applied to all SSDI cases from January 2018 through December 2018. The amount changes once per year, so if you were receiving benefits in 2018 and are still receiving them now, your current SGA limit is different — it increases most years. The 2018 amount matters now only if you are reviewing past work history, appealing a decision made in 2018, or trying to understand how your benefits were calculated during that year.
SGA is not the same as the earnings limit for the Trial Work Period or the Extended may be able to access Period. Those programs have their own rules and thresholds. SGA is the main test Social Security applies once your Trial Work Period ends.
Key Takeaways
- In 2018, earning more than $1,180 per month (or $1,970 if blind) could trigger a work-related review of your SSDI case.
- SGA is measured by your gross earnings before taxes, not your net take-home pay.
- One month of earnings above the SGA amount does not automatically stop your benefits — Social Security looks at the pattern and your work capacity.
- The SGA amount changes every year, so the 2018 figure no longer applies to current benefit decisions unless you are appealing a 2018 action.
- If you were working in 2018 and reported earnings, you can request a detailed breakdown of how Social Security counted those earnings toward SGA.
How Social Security counted 2018 earnings against SGA
Social Security counted your gross monthly earnings — the amount before taxes, deductions, or expenses were taken out. If you were self-employed, they counted your net profit after business expenses, not your total revenue. If you worked multiple jobs, they added all earnings together for the month.
The earnings had to be from work you performed yourself. Unearned income — such as interest, dividends, rental income, or money from other people — did not count toward SGA. If you received a one-time bonus or back pay in 2018, Social Security counted it in the month you received it, which could push that month's total above the SGA amount even if your regular monthly earnings were lower.
Social Security also looked at whether your earnings showed you could work at a substantial level consistently, not just in one month. If you earned above SGA in January 2018 but then earned nothing for the rest of the year, the case might be handled differently than if you earned above SGA every month. The agency examined the pattern and your work capacity over time.
What happened if you earned above the 2018 SGA amount
Earning more than $1,180 (or $1,970 if blind) in a single month in 2018 did not automatically stop your benefits that month. Instead, it triggered a work-related review. Social Security would examine whether your earnings and work activity showed that you were no longer disabled or were able to work at a substantial level.
If Social Security found that you were working at a substantial level, they could end your SSDI benefits. However, you would not lose benefits when ready. The agency would send you a notice explaining the decision and your right to appeal. You would have 60 days from the date on the notice to request reconsideration or appeal to an administrative law judge.
If you were in your Trial Work Period in 2018, the SGA amount did not explore yet. During the Trial Work Period, you could earn any amount without affecting your benefits. The SGA test only applied after your Trial Work Period ended or if you had already completed it before 2018.
The difference between SGA and other earnings limits in 2018
SSDI had three separate earnings thresholds in 2018, and they worked in different ways. Understanding which one applied to your situation is important if you are reviewing your 2018 record.
| Earnings Limit | 2018 Amount | What It Meant |
|---|---|---|
| Trial Work Period | $850 per month | You could earn this amount and keep full benefits. Any amount above it still did not reduce benefits during the nine-month Trial Work Period. |
| SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity) | $1,180 per month (non-blind); $1,970 per month (blind) | Earning above this triggered a review of whether you could work at a substantial level. Benefits could be reduced or stopped. |
| Extended may be able to access Period | $1,180 per month (non-blind); $1,970 per month (blind) | After your Trial Work Period, you had 36 months to test work. If you earned above SGA, you lost benefits that month but could regain them if earnings dropped below SGA later. |
If you were in your Trial Work Period in 2018, the $850 amount applied to you, not the $1,180 SGA figure. If you had already completed your Trial Work Period before 2018, the $1,180 (or $1,970) SGA amount was the threshold that mattered.
How to learn about your 2018 earnings affected your benefits
You can request a detailed record of how Social Security counted your 2018 earnings by contacting your local Social Security office or calling 1-800-772-1213. Ask for a work history printout or a detailed earnings record for 2018. This document shows exactly what Social Security has on file for your reported income that year.
If you reported earnings to Social Security in 2018 and your benefits were reduced or stopped, you should have received a notice explaining the reason. Look for letters dated in 2018 or early 2019 that mention "work activity," "SGA," or "substantial gainful activity." If you cannot find the original notice, Social Security can send you a copy.
If you believe Social Security made an error in counting your 2018 earnings — for example, if they counted income that should not have been included, or if they miscalculated your net self-employment income — you can file an appeal. You have 60 days from the date of the notice to request reconsideration. If more than 60 days have passed, you may still be able to appeal, but you will need to explain why the delay occurred.
Why the 2018 SGA amount still matters
If you are currently receiving SSDI and you are reviewing your work history or preparing for a work-related review, understanding the 2018 SGA amount helps you see how Social Security evaluated your past earnings. The agency keeps detailed records of when you reported work and how your earnings compared to the SGA threshold each year.
If you are appealing a decision Social Security made in 2018 — such as a information that you were no longer disabled — the 2018 SGA amount is the standard that applied to your case at that time. Your appeal should reference the correct threshold for the year in question. Using the wrong year's SGA amount in an appeal can confuse your case.
The 2018 figure also provides a reference point if you are trying to understand how SGA works in general. Each year the amount increases slightly, usually by $20 to $40. Knowing what it was in 2018 can help you estimate what it might have been in other years or what it is now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does earning exactly $1,180 in one month in 2018 stop my SSDI benefits?
No. Earning at or below the SGA amount does not stop benefits. Earning above it in one month triggered a review, but Social Security looked at the full picture of your work and capacity before making a decision. One month above SGA did not automatically end benefits.
What if I was self-employed in 2018 and earned above SGA?
Social Security counted your net self-employment income — your gross revenue minus business expenses — against the SGA amount. If your net profit was above $1,180 per month, the same review process applied as for regular wages. You should have reported your self-employment income to Social Security.
Can I appeal a 2018 decision about my earnings and SGA now?
If more than 60 days have passed since the original notice, you cannot file a standard appeal. However, you may be able to request a new hearing or file a "reopening" request if you have new evidence or can show good cause for the delay. Contact your local Social Security office to discuss your specific situation.
Is the 2018 SGA amount the same as what applies to me now?
No. The SGA amount changes every year. The 2018 amount ($1,180 for non-blind workers) no longer applies to current benefit decisions. Your current SGA limit is higher. You can find the current year's SGA amount on the Social Security website or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
What if Social Security miscounted my 2018 earnings?
Request a detailed earnings record for 2018 from Social Security. If you find an error, explain it in writing and send it to your local office. If the error led to a benefit reduction or termination, you can request reconsideration or appeal the original decision with the corrected earnings information.