SSDI has no monthly income limit, but your earnings can reduce or stop your benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) does not have a monthly income limit that automatically disqualifies you. You can earn money and still receive SSDI payments. However, if you earn above a certain threshold—called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)—Social Security will assume you are no longer disabled and may suspend or terminate your benefits.
The SGA threshold changes each year. For 2024, the limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries and $2,590 per month for blind beneficiaries. These figures are set by Social Security and announced in December for the following year. The amount you earn that matters is your gross earnings—the money before taxes and deductions.
If you earn below the SGA threshold, you keep your full SSDI payment. If you earn above it, Social Security will review your case to determine whether you can still be considered disabled. Earning above SGA does not automatically end your benefits, but it triggers a medical review.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI has no income limit that bars you from receiving payments, but earnings above the SGA threshold of $1,550 per month (2024, non-blind) can trigger a benefits review.
- The SGA threshold increases each January and applies to gross earnings before taxes, not take-home pay.
- Earning below SGA means you keep your full monthly SSDI payment with no reduction.
- Work incentive programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can help you earn more while keeping benefits.
How Social Security measures your earnings
Social Security counts gross monthly earnings from work—wages, net self-employment income, and certain other payments. They do not subtract taxes, insurance premiums, or other deductions. If you are self-employed, they use your net profit after business expenses, not your total revenue.
The earnings that count are those you receive in the month you work, not when you are paid. If you work in January but are paid in February, Social Security counts the earnings in January. This matters if you are paid irregularly or on commission.
Earnings from sources other than work—such as rental income, investment returns, pensions, or unemployment benefits—do not count toward the SGA threshold. Only work earnings trigger the review.
What happens if you earn above the SGA threshold
If your gross monthly earnings exceed the SGA amount, Social Security does not automatically stop your benefits. Instead, they conduct a medical continuing disability review (CDR) to determine whether you can still be considered disabled. This review examines your current medical condition and your ability to work.
The outcome depends on your medical evidence. If your condition has improved enough that you can perform substantial work, Social Security may find you no longer disabled and terminate benefits. If your medical condition has not improved, you may keep your benefits even though you are earning above SGA. This is called a medical improvement review.
You are required to report earnings to Social Security. You can do this online through your My Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by mail. Failing to report earnings can result in overpayments that you will be asked to repay.
Work incentive programs that protect your benefits
Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) allow you to deduct certain costs directly related to your disability from your gross earnings before Social Security calculates whether you have exceeded SGA. These costs might include medical devices, medications, therapy, transportation to work, or assistive technology. If you spend $200 per month on disability-related work costs, Social Security subtracts that from your earnings when determining SGA.
Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) let you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal—such as education, training, or starting a business—without those funds counting against your benefits. A PASS plan is a written agreement between you and Social Security that outlines your goal, the timeline, and how you will use the money. While a PASS is in effect, the income and resources you set aside do not reduce your SSDI payment.
The Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) excludes earnings from work performed by students under age 22 who are in school. Up to $2,170 per month (2024) in student earnings does not count toward SGA, up to a yearly maximum of $8,680.
These programs require advance planning and documentation. IRWE and PASS both require you to submit forms to Social Security and may need approval before they take effect. Your local Social Security office or a work incentive planning and information (WIPA) project can help you understand which programs fit your situation.
The difference between SGA and the trial work period
The trial work period (TWP) is separate from the SGA threshold. During your TWP, you can earn any amount without affecting your SSDI payment. The TWP lasts nine months (not necessarily consecutive) during a rolling 60-month period. This gives you a chance to test your ability to work without risking your benefits.
Once your TWP ends, the SGA threshold applies. If you earn above SGA after your TWP, Social Security will conduct a medical review. The TWP is a one-time benefit for each SSDI beneficiary, so it cannot be repeated once it is exhausted.
You do not have to use your TWP all at once. You can use one month now, take a break, and use another month later—as long as all nine months fall within your 60-month rolling window. This flexibility lets you test work gradually.
SGA thresholds by year and how they are set
Social Security adjusts the SGA threshold each year based on changes in the national average wage index. The 2024 threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries and $2,590 for blind beneficiaries. In 2023, the thresholds were $1,470 and $2,460 respectively.
Social Security announces the new SGA amounts in December for the following year. You can find the current and historical thresholds on the Social Security website under "Earnings Test" or "Substantial Gainful Activity." The threshold applies to all SSDI beneficiaries nationwide; it does not vary by state or by the type of disability.
The blind SGA threshold is higher because Social Security recognizes that blind individuals may need more time and resources to adapt to work. If you are blind and your earnings exceed the non-blind threshold but fall below the blind threshold, you are not considered to be performing SGA.
Reporting earnings and avoiding overpayments
You must report your earnings to Social Security within the month you earn them. Delays in reporting can lead to overpayments—money you received but were not may have access to to keep. Once Social Security identifies an overpayment, they will ask you to repay it, usually by reducing your monthly SSDI payment.
Report earnings through your My Social Security account online, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. Have your earnings information ready, including your gross monthly income and the month you earned it. If you are self-employed, have your business income records available.
If you believe you have been overpaid or disagree with how Social Security calculated your earnings, you can request a reconsideration. This must be done in writing within 60 days of receiving the overpayment notice. Include documentation of your actual earnings and any work-related expenses you believe should have been deducted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn money and still get SSDI?
Yes. SSDI has no income limit that prevents you from earning. If you earn below the SGA threshold ($1,550 per month in 2024 for non-blind beneficiaries), you keep your full SSDI payment. Earnings above SGA trigger a medical review, but do not automatically end your benefits.
What counts as earnings for SSDI?
Gross wages from employment and net self-employment income count. Rental income, investment returns, pensions, and unemployment benefits do not. Social Security counts earnings in the month you work, not the month you are paid.
Do I lose all my benefits if I earn above SGA?
No. Earning above SGA triggers a medical review to determine if you are still disabled, but your benefits do not stop automatically. If your medical condition has not improved, you may keep your benefits despite earning above SGA.
What is the trial work period and how long does it last?
The trial work period is nine months during a rolling 60-month window when you can earn any amount without affecting your SSDI payment. The months do not have to be consecutive. Once your TWP ends, the SGA threshold applies to your earnings.
How do I report my earnings to Social Security?
Report earnings online through My Social Security, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Report within the month you earn the money. Have your gross income and the dates you worked ready.