What the income limits actually are

SSDI has two separate income limits that work in different ways. The first is Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA — the amount of monthly earnings that tells Social Security you are working at a level that means you cannot be considered disabled. The second is the Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access Period, which let you earn above SGA for a limited time without losing benefits.

The SGA limit changes each year. In 2024, it is $1,550 per month for most people receiving SSDI, and $2,590 per month if you are blind. These numbers are set by federal law and explore nationwide — your state does not adjust them. If you earn more than the SGA amount in a month, Social Security counts that month as a work month, and after nine work months in a rolling 60-month period, your benefits stop.

The income limit is based on gross earnings — the money before taxes, not what you take home. It includes wages from a job, net profit from self-employment, and certain other forms of earned income. It does not include unearned income like Social Security retirement benefits, pensions, interest, or gifts.

Key Takeaways

  • The SGA limit for 2024 is $1,550 per month for most SSDI recipients and $2,590 for people who are blind; these amounts change yearly and are published by Social Security.
  • Earning above the SGA limit in a month counts as a work month, and nine work months in 60 months will end your benefits.
  • The Trial Work Period lets you earn any amount for nine months without losing benefits, but you must report your work to Social Security.
  • After the Trial Work Period ends, the Extended may be able to access Period gives you 36 more months to use, during which you keep benefits in months you earn below SGA.
  • Income limits explore only to earned income from work, not to savings, investments, or other unearned money you receive.

How the Trial Work Period protects your first nine months of work

When you start working while on SSDI, you enter a Trial Work Period that lasts nine months. During these nine months, you can earn any amount — there is no income limit — and you keep your full SSDI benefit check each month. This period is designed to let you test whether you can work without the risk of losing your benefits when ready.

The nine months do not have to be consecutive. Social Security counts only the months in which you earn $940 or more (in 2024) as work months. If you work part-time one month and earn less than $940, that month does not count toward the nine. You can spread the nine work months over several years if you need to.

You must report your work to Social Security — do not assume they will find out on their own. Call your local Social Security office or log into your account at ssa.gov to report your earnings each month. If you do not report and Social Security discovers the work later, you could lose benefits retroactively and owe money back.

What happens after the Trial Work Period ends

Once you have used all nine months of your Trial Work Period, you move into the Extended may be able to access Period, which lasts 36 months. During this time, the SGA limit applies: if you earn $1,550 or less in a month (or $2,590 if you are blind), you get your full benefit that month. If you earn more than SGA, you do not get a benefit that month, but you do not lose your SSDI status.

The Extended may be able to access Period is a safety net. If your work ends or your earnings drop below SGA, your benefits restart automatically without a new process. You do not have to reapply or go through the approval process again. This period gives you 36 months to figure out whether work is sustainable for you.

After the Extended may be able to access Period ends, if you are still working and earning above SGA, your SSDI benefits stop permanently. You can reapply later if your work ends or your medical condition worsens, but you will go through the full process and approval process again.

Understanding the difference between work months and benefit months

Social Security uses two different counts, and the difference matters. A work month is any month in which you earn $940 or more (2024 amount). A benefit month is a month in which you receive a benefit check. During the Trial Work Period, every work month is also a benefit month — you get paid even though you worked. After the Trial Work Period, a work month where you earn above SGA is not a benefit month — you do not get a check that month.

This distinction is important because it means you can have months where you work but do not receive benefits, and those months do not count against your Extended may be able to access Period. You only use up Extended may be able to access months when you earn below SGA and receive a benefit check.

How self-employment income is counted

If you are self-employed, Social Security counts your net profit — the money left after business expenses — not your total revenue. You report this on your tax return, and Social Security uses that figure to determine whether you have exceeded SGA.

Self-employment income is counted differently in the first year of your business. During your first month of self-employment, Social Security looks at your average monthly profit over the entire first year to decide if you have exceeded SGA. After that, they use your actual monthly net profit. This can work in your favor if your business is ramping up slowly.

Keep detailed records of your business expenses and income. When you report your earnings to Social Security, be prepared to show how you calculated your net profit. If Social Security questions your numbers, you will need receipts, invoices, and tax documents to back them up.

When the income limits change and how to find the current amounts

Social Security updates the SGA limit every January based on changes in the national average wage. The new amount is announced in November of the previous year. You can find the current SGA limit on the Social Security website at ssa.gov, or by calling your local Social Security office.

The Trial Work Period threshold — the $940 amount that determines whether a month counts as a work month — also changes each year and is published at the same time. If you are working, check these numbers in November so you know what the new limits will be starting in January.

Some people miss the announcement because Social Security does not send it automatically. If you are working, set a reminder in November to look up the new limits, or call your local office and ask them to send you the updated information.

What counts as income and what does not

Only earned income — money you make from work — counts toward the SGA limit. This includes wages from a job, net profit from self-employment, and certain other work-related payments. It does not include:

  • Social Security retirement or survivor benefits
  • Pensions or annuities
  • Interest, dividends, or capital gains from investments
  • Rental income from property you own
  • Gifts or inheritance
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Workers' compensation
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — a different program

This is important because you can have substantial unearned income and still be on SSDI. You could inherit money, receive investment income, or collect a pension, and none of it would affect your SSDI benefits or count toward the SGA limit. The limit applies only to what you earn from working.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I earn above SGA for one month?

That month counts as a work month. If it is during your Trial Work Period, you still get your full benefit check. If it is after your Trial Work Period, you do not get a benefit that month, but you do not lose your SSDI status. You can continue working and receiving benefits in months you earn below SGA.

Can I go back to work after my benefits stop?

Yes. If you stop working or your earnings drop below SGA, you can reapply for SSDI. However, you will go through the full process and approval process again, and it can take several months. You do not automatically get benefits back — you have to be approved again based on your current medical condition.

Do I have to report my earnings every month?

Yes. You must report your work to Social Security, even during the Trial Work Period when you keep your full benefit. You can report online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at your local office. Failing to report can result in overpayments that you will have to repay.

What if I work part-time and earn less than $940 a month?

Months where you earn less than $940 do not count as work months during the Trial Work Period, so they do not use up any of your nine months. After the Trial Work Period, if you earn below SGA, you get your full benefit check that month. Part-time work can be a good way to test your ability to work without losing benefits quickly.

Does my spouse's income affect my SSDI income limit?

No. SSDI income limits are based only on your own earned income, not your spouse's income or household income. Your spouse's earnings do not count toward your SGA limit and do not affect your benefits.