What the 2025 Income Limits Are

For 2025, Social Security sets two separate income thresholds for people receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). The first is the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, which is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals. If you earn more than these amounts in a month, Social Security may consider you able to work and could suspend your benefits.

The second threshold is the Trial Work Period (TWP) limit, which allows you to test your work capacity without losing benefits. During your TWP, you can earn any amount without affecting your SSDI payment, as long as you report your work to Social Security. The TWP lasts for nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month period.

These limits explore only to earned income — wages from a job or net profit from self-employment. They do not include unearned income such as pensions, rental income, interest, or gifts. Social Security counts only the income you actually receive, not what you could earn if you worked more hours.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind workers and $2,590 per month for blind workers; exceeding this amount in a month may trigger a benefit review.
  • Your Trial Work Period allows nine months of unlimited earnings within a 60-month window, giving you time to test whether you can work without losing SSDI.
  • Only earned income from employment counts toward these limits; unearned income like pensions, rental payments, and gifts does not affect your benefits.
  • Social Security uses your actual monthly earnings, not your annual income, to determine whether you have exceeded the SGA limit in any given month.
  • These limits change each year based on the national average wage index, so you should check the current figures annually if you are working.

How Social Security Counts Your Monthly Earnings

Social Security looks at what you actually earn in each calendar month, not your annual total. If you earn $1,400 in January and $1,700 in February, you have not exceeded the SGA limit in January, but you have in February. The month matters because Social Security reviews your work activity month by month.

For employees, your earnings are the gross wages before taxes — what your employer reports to Social Security. For self-employed people, earnings are your net profit after business expenses. If you own a business, you report your net income from Schedule C (or the equivalent on your tax return), not your total revenue.

Social Security also counts impairment-related work expenses (IRWE) — costs you pay to work because of your disability, such as special equipment, transportation, or attendant care. These expenses reduce your countable earnings. For example, if you earn $1,700 but pay $200 for disability-related transportation, your countable earnings are $1,500.

What Happens If You Exceed the SGA Limit

Exceeding the SGA limit in a single month does not automatically stop your benefits. Instead, Social Security begins a review process called a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). The agency will contact you to gather information about your work, your condition, and your medical treatment. This review can take several months.

During the CDR, Social Security examines whether your work shows you are no longer disabled. The agency does not straightforward look at your earnings; it also considers the nature of the work, how many hours you work, and whether your medical condition has improved. You may continue receiving benefits while the review is underway.

If Social Security determines that you can perform substantial gainful activity, your benefits may be terminated. However, you have the right to request reconsideration and, if necessary, a hearing before an administrative law judge. You can also appeal the decision within 60 days of receiving the notice.

The Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access

The Trial Work Period is a nine-month window during which you can earn any amount without affecting your SSDI payment. These nine months do not have to be consecutive — you can use one month, stop working for six months, then use another month later. The entire nine-month period must fall within a rolling 60-month (five-year) window.

After you complete your nine Trial Work Period months, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period (EEP), which lasts 36 months. During the EEP, you can still work and receive your full SSDI benefit for any month your earnings fall below the SGA limit. Once you exceed the SGA limit for nine months during the EEP, your benefits stop — but you can request reinstatement if your work ends within five years.

The purpose of the Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access Period is to give you time to test your ability to work without the when ready risk of losing your entire benefit. Many people use this time to gradually increase their work hours or try a new job before deciding whether they can sustain employment.

How the SGA Limit Changes Each Year

Social Security adjusts the SGA limit each January based on the national average wage index from two years prior. In 2024, the SGA limit was $1,470 for non-blind workers. The increase to $1,550 in 2025 reflects wage growth in the economy. The blind SGA limit also increased, from $2,460 in 2024 to $2,590 in 2025.

These annual adjustments mean you should review your work plan each January if you are currently working or planning to return to work. A job that kept you below the limit in one year might push you over it in the next year, even if your pay stays the same. Social Security publishes the new limits on its website each December, so you can plan ahead.

Working While on SSDI: Planning Your Return to Work

If you are considering returning to work, Social Security offers a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) program that can help you set aside income and resources to reach a work goal without losing benefits. A PASS allows you to exclude certain earnings and savings from the income and resource limits that normally explore to SSDI recipients. You must work with a PASS planner (available through your local Social Security office) to develop a written plan.

You can also contact a Work Incentives Planning and information (WIPA) project in your state. WIPA counselors are trained to explain how work affects your benefits and can help you understand the SGA limit, Trial Work Period, and other work incentives. These services are free and confidential. You can find your local WIPA project through the Social Security website.

Before you start working or increase your hours, report your work to Social Security. You can do this by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. Reporting early prevents overpayments — if you earn over the SGA limit and do not report it, Social Security may later demand repayment of benefits you received in months when you should not have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SGA limit explore to my spouse's income or my household income?

No. The SGA limit applies only to your own earned income. Your spouse's earnings, your children's income, or any other household member's income does not count toward your SGA limit. Social Security reviews only the income you personally earn from work.

What if I work for a family member or volunteer?

If you are paid for work, even by a family member, that income counts toward the SGA limit. Volunteer work (unpaid) does not count as earnings. However, if you receive any payment for volunteer work, even a small stipend, Social Security may count it as earned income depending on the amount and circumstances.

Can I work part-time and stay under the SGA limit?

Many people do. At the 2025 SGA limit of $1,550 per month, you could work roughly 20 hours per week at minimum wage and stay below the limit, depending on your state's minimum wage. However, your actual hours and pay depend on your job and location. Use the SGA limit to calculate what hours you could work at your expected wage.

What if I have a month where I earn over the SGA limit by accident?

One month over the limit does not automatically end your benefits. Social Security looks at your overall work pattern. However, if you regularly exceed the SGA limit, the agency will begin a Continuing Disability Review. Report the overage to Social Security as soon as you know about it so the agency has accurate information.

Do I need to report my earnings every month?

You should report significant changes in your work or earnings. If you start a new job, change your hours, or expect to earn over the SGA limit, contact Social Security. You do not need to report every paycheck, but you should report when your work situation changes so Social Security can track your Trial Work Period months accurately.