What the 2023 SSDI income limit means for your benefits

In 2023, Social Security uses a figure called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to decide whether your work earnings are high enough to affect your SSDI benefits. If you earn more than the SGA amount in a month, Social Security may view that month as evidence you are no longer disabled and could stop or reduce your benefits.

For 2023, the SGA limit is $1,470 per month if you are blind, and $1,550 per month if you are not blind. These are the gross amounts — what you earn before taxes or deductions. If you earn at or below these amounts in a given month, that month does not count against your benefits, even if you work multiple jobs to reach that total.

The SGA amount changes each year because Social Security adjusts it based on national wage trends. The 2023 figures are higher than 2022, when the limits were $1,350 (blind) and $1,470 (not blind).

Key Takeaways

  • The 2023 SGA limit is $1,550 per month for people who are not blind and $1,470 per month for people who are blind.
  • These limits explore to gross earnings — the amount before taxes, and they reset each calendar month.
  • Earning above the SGA limit in one month does not automatically end your benefits, but it signals to Social Security that you may no longer be disabled.
  • Work incentives like the Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access Period let you test your ability to work without losing benefits when ready.
  • The SGA amount increases each year, so the 2024 limit will be different from 2023.

How Social Security counts your monthly earnings

Social Security counts gross income — the total you earn before any deductions. This includes wages from a job, net profit from self-employment, and certain other forms of earned income. It does not include interest, dividends, rental income, or benefits from other programs.

The count resets on the first day of each calendar month. If you earn $1,200 in January and $1,600 in February, January does not affect February. Each month stands alone. If you work multiple jobs, Social Security adds all your earnings together for that month to see if you crossed the SGA threshold.

You report your earnings to Social Security, usually through your My Social Security account or by phone. You do not have to report earnings under the SGA limit, but reporting them anyway can help Social Security track your work and protect you if questions arise later.

What happens if you earn above the SGA limit

Earning more than the SGA amount in a single month does not when ready stop your SSDI check. Instead, Social Security uses it as a sign that you may be working at a level that shows you are not disabled. This can trigger a review of your case.

If you earn above SGA for nine months within a rolling 60-month period, Social Security will likely end your benefits. The nine months do not have to be consecutive — they can be scattered across five years. This is called the nine-month rule, and it is one of the main ways SSDI benefits end due to work.

Before that happens, you have protections. Social Security will send you a notice explaining that your earnings are above SGA and asking whether you still believe you are disabled. You can respond and explain your situation. You also have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge if you disagree with Social Security's decision.

Trial Work Period and Extended may be able to access Period explained

Social Security offers two work incentives designed to let you test whether you can work without losing benefits right away. The Trial Work Period (TWP) lets you work and earn any amount for nine months without affecting your SSDI check. The nine months do not have to be consecutive — you can use them over a longer span of time.

After your Trial Work Period ends, you enter the Extended may be able to access Period (EEP), which lasts 36 months. During the EEP, you keep your SSDI benefits for any month your earnings fall at or below the SGA limit. Months when you earn above SGA do not produce a check, but they do not count toward the nine-month rule that ends benefits.

Once the EEP ends, the nine-month rule takes over. At that point, nine months of earnings above SGA within a rolling 60-month window will end your benefits. Many people use the TWP and EEP to gradually return to work and see whether they can sustain employment before losing the safety net of SSDI.

Why the SGA limit changes each year

Social Security adjusts the SGA limit every January based on the national average wage index from two years prior. This means the 2023 limit reflects wage data from 2021. The adjustment is meant to keep the SGA threshold in line with what workers actually earn, so the standard does not become outdated.

Because wages tend to rise over time, the SGA limit usually increases year to year. However, the increase is not always the same. In some years it rises by $50 or $100; in others it may rise by more or less depending on wage trends. Social Security announces the new SGA amount in November of the prior year, giving people time to plan.

If you are receiving SSDI, Social Security will notify you of any change to the SGA limit. You do not have to do anything in response — the new limit straightforward applies to your case starting January 1 of the new year.

Self-employment and SGA in 2023

If you are self-employed, Social Security counts your net profit — what you earn after business expenses — toward the SGA limit. You report this on your tax return, and Social Security uses that figure to determine whether you crossed the threshold in a given month.

Self-employment can be tricky because your income may vary month to month, and Social Security may ask you to average your earnings over time. If you run a business and receive SSDI, it is worth speaking with a work incentives planning counselor before making major changes to your business. These counselors are free and can help you understand how your self-employment income will affect your benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does earning below the SGA limit mean my benefits are safe?

Earning below SGA in a month protects that month from counting toward the nine-month rule, and you receive your full SSDI check. However, Social Security can still review your case at any time if they have other reasons to believe you are no longer disabled. The SGA limit is one tool they use, not the only one.

What if I earn $1,551 in one month — do I lose my benefits when ready?

No. One month above SGA does not end your benefits. You lose your check for that month, but it counts as one of the nine months that could eventually end your benefits. You would need nine months above SGA within a rolling 60-month period for Social Security to end your case.

Can I use my Trial Work Period months whenever I want?

Yes. Your nine Trial Work Period months do not have to be consecutive. You can use one or two months, stop working for a while, then use more months later. Once you have used all nine, the Extended may be able to access Period begins automatically.

Does the SGA limit explore to my spouse or children on my record?

No. Family members receiving benefits on your SSDI record have their own earnings rules. Spouses and children have different thresholds, and the rules work differently. You should ask Social Security about the specific earnings limits for each person on your record.

Where can I find the SGA limit for 2024 and beyond?

Social Security announces the new SGA limit each November on their official website, ssa.gov. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about the current year's limit. The limit is always effective January 1 of the new year.