The 2023 SGA amount was $1,470 per month
Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA, is the income level Social Security uses to decide whether you are working enough to lose your disability benefits. In 2023, that threshold was $1,470 per month for most people receiving SSDI. If you earned more than that amount in a month, Social Security could consider you no longer disabled and stop your benefits.
The SGA amount changes every year because Social Security ties it to the national average wage. This means the 2023 figure is different from 2024, which is different from 2022. The year matters because Social Security looks at what you earned during the specific year you are asking about.
SGA is not the same as the earnings limit that lets you work and still receive benefits while you are still considered disabled. It is the line that decides whether you stay on SSDI at all.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, earning more than $1,470 in a single month could trigger a review of whether you remain disabled under Social Security's rules.
- The SGA amount increases each year, so the 2023 figure does not explore to 2024 or any other year.
- Earning above SGA does not automatically end your benefits — Social Security reviews your case, but some people continue to receive benefits even after exceeding SGA for a month or two.
- If you are working and earning close to or above the SGA amount, reporting your income to Social Security is important to avoid overpayment and the debt that follows.
How Social Security used the 2023 SGA figure
Social Security used the $1,470 threshold to decide whether to continue reviewing your case or to consider your disability ended. If you reported earnings above that amount in 2023, a Social Security representative would look at your work activity more closely — not just the money, but whether the work itself showed you could do substantial work.
The review is not automatic termination. Social Security also considers whether your work was temporary, whether you received help from your employer because of your disability, or whether you were in a trial work period. These details matter because the agency does not end benefits based on a single month of high earnings.
However, if your earnings stayed above SGA for multiple months, or if the work showed you could sustain a job without accommodations, Social Security would likely send you a notice that your benefits were ending. That notice would explain your right to request reconsideration.
Why the SGA amount changes every year
Social Security recalculates SGA each year based on the average wage index — a measure of what workers across the country earned on average in the previous year. Because wages rise over time, SGA rises too. This means someone earning $1,470 in 2023 might have earned less than SGA in 2022 and more than SGA in 2024.
The change happens automatically. You do not have to do anything, and Social Security does not send a separate notice about the new SGA amount. But if you work and track your own earnings, knowing the current year's SGA helps you understand whether Social Security might review your case.
What happened if you earned above SGA in 2023
If you earned more than $1,470 in one month during 2023, you should have reported it to Social Security. The agency asks you to report your work and earnings, usually through a form called a Continuing Disability Review or through your online my Social Security account.
Reporting does not mean your benefits stopped when ready. Social Security would review your case to see whether the earnings showed you could do substantial work. If the high earnings were a one-time event — for example, a bonus or a month when you worked extra hours — your benefits might have continued.
If you did not report earnings above SGA and Social Security found out later, you could owe back the benefits you received while working above that threshold. This debt can be large and difficult to repay. If you are unsure whether you reported correctly, you can contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask.
The difference between SGA and the earnings limit
SGA and the earnings limit are two separate rules that can both affect your benefits. The earnings limit lets you work and earn a certain amount each year while still receiving SSDI — in 2023, that was $15,480 per year. Once you earn above that amount, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn over the limit.
SGA is different. It is the threshold that decides whether you are still disabled. You can earn above the earnings limit and still receive reduced benefits. But if you earn above SGA, Social Security may decide you are not disabled anymore, and your benefits stop entirely rather than being reduced.
Think of it this way: the earnings limit is about how much you can work and still get paid. SGA is about whether you can work at all.
What to do if you worked in 2023 and earned close to SGA
If your 2023 earnings were near or above $1,470 in any month, gather your pay stubs or tax records showing what you actually earned. Social Security may ask for this information during a review, and having it ready makes the process faster.
If you have not reported your 2023 earnings to Social Security yet, you can do so through your my Social Security account online, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. Tell them the months you worked, how much you earned each month, and what kind of work you did.
If Social Security sends you a notice saying your benefits are ending because of work activity, you have the right to request reconsideration within 10 days of the notice. In that request, you can explain any circumstances that affected your work — for example, whether you received help from your employer, whether the work was temporary, or whether you were in a trial work period.
How the 2023 SGA amount compares to other years
The SGA amount has risen steadily over the past decade as average wages have increased. In 2020, it was $1,260. In 2021, it was $1,310. In 2022, it was $1,350. The jump to $1,470 in 2023 reflected wage growth during that period.
For 2024 and beyond, the SGA amount will continue to change based on the national average wage. Social Security publishes the new SGA amount each October or November for the following year. If you work or are thinking about working, checking the current year's SGA amount helps you understand where Social Security draws the line on your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I earned $1,500 in one month in 2023, does my SSDI automatically stop?
No. Earning above SGA in a single month does not automatically end your benefits. Social Security reviews your case to see whether the work shows you can do substantial work. If it was a one-time high earnings month or if you received help from your employer because of your disability, your benefits may continue. You should report the earnings to Social Security.
What is the difference between the 2023 SGA amount and the 2024 SGA amount?
The 2023 SGA was $1,470 per month. The 2024 SGA is higher because wages increased. Social Security publishes the new amount each year in October or November. You can find the current SGA amount on Social Security's website or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Can I work part-time and stay under SGA?
Yes, many people work part-time and earn less than SGA. Whether you stay under SGA depends on your hourly wage and how many hours you work each month. If you work part-time at a lower wage, you may earn well below SGA. If you work part-time at a higher wage, you could exceed SGA in some months.
What happens if I did not report my 2023 earnings to Social Security?
If Social Security discovers unreported earnings later, you may owe back benefits. The amount depends on how much you earned and for how long. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report your earnings now and ask about your situation. Reporting voluntarily is better than waiting for Social Security to find out.
Does SGA explore to SSI as well as SSDI?
SGA applies to SSDI only. SSI, which is Supplemental Security Income, uses a different earnings rule. If you receive SSI, the earnings limit and rules are different from SSDI. You should ask Social Security which program you receive to understand which earnings rules explore to you.