The 2025 SGA amount is $1,550 per month if you are blind, and $1,470 per month if you are not blind

Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA, is the income limit Social Security uses to decide whether you are still disabled enough to receive SSDI. If you earn more than the SGA amount in a month, Social Security may assume you can work and could stop or reduce your benefits.

The SGA threshold changes each year because Social Security adjusts it based on national wage trends. For 2025, the standard SGA is $1,470 per month. If you are blind, your SGA is higher: $1,550 per month. This difference exists because Social Security recognizes that blind workers often face higher work-related expenses.

The SGA amount applies to your work earnings only—not to other income like pensions, investments, or family support. Social Security looks at your average monthly earnings over a period of time, not just one high-earning month, so a single month above the limit does not automatically end your benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 SGA is $1,470 per month for most SSDI recipients, and $1,550 per month if you are blind.
  • SGA measures only work earnings, not other income like pensions or gifts.
  • Earning above the SGA amount does not when ready stop your benefits; Social Security looks at your average earnings over time.
  • The SGA amount increases each year, so the threshold you need to watch changes annually.
  • If you are working and earning close to the SGA, you should report your income to Social Security to avoid overpayments.

How Social Security uses SGA to review your case

Social Security uses SGA as a checkpoint during what they call a continuing disability review. This is when they look at your case again to see whether your condition has improved enough that you could work at the SGA level. If you are consistently earning more than the SGA amount, Social Security may schedule a review or send you forms asking about your work and medical condition.

The review does not happen automatically every time you cross the threshold. Social Security typically reviews cases on a schedule they set when you first start receiving benefits—usually every one to three years, depending on whether your condition is expected to improve. However, if your earnings stay well above the SGA for several months, you may trigger an earlier review.

During the review, Social Security will ask for medical evidence that your condition still prevents you from working. They will also look at your work history, your job duties, and how much you are earning. If you can show that you are working despite your disability—perhaps with accommodations, part-time hours, or help from others—you may keep your benefits even if you earn above the SGA.

The difference between SGA and the trial work period

SGA is different from the trial work period, which is a separate protection Social Security offers. During your trial work period, you can earn any amount without affecting your SSDI benefits. The trial work period lasts nine months (not necessarily consecutive) and gives you a chance to test whether you can work without losing your safety net.

After your trial work period ends, the SGA amount becomes the threshold that matters. If you continue working and earning above the SGA, your benefits may be affected. However, you also enter what Social Security calls the extended may be able to access period, which lasts 36 months. During this time, you can have months where you earn above the SGA without losing benefits, as long as you do not have too many high-earning months in a row.

Understanding which phase you are in—trial work period, extended may be able to access, or regular SSDI—is important because the rules about how much you can earn change. If you are unsure which phase applies to you, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask about your work incentives.

Why the SGA amount changes every year

The SGA threshold is tied to the national average wage index, which measures what workers across the country earn on average. Each October, Social Security announces the new SGA amount for the following year based on wage data from two years prior. This means the 2025 SGA was set in October 2024 and reflects wage trends from 2023.

Because wages generally increase over time, the SGA usually goes up each year. In recent years, the SGA has increased by roughly $30 to $60 per year, though the exact amount varies. This annual increase is meant to keep the SGA realistic as the cost of living and typical wages rise.

If you receive SSDI, Social Security will notify you of the new SGA amount each year, usually in a letter sent in the fall. You do not need to do anything in response—the new amount takes effect automatically on January 1st. However, if you work, it is worth noting the new threshold so you can track your earnings against it.

What happens if you earn above the SGA

Earning above the SGA does not mean your benefits stop when ready. Instead, Social Security treats it as a signal that your case should be reviewed. During the review, they will examine whether your disability still prevents you from working at the SGA level.

If Social Security concludes that you can work at the SGA level, they may end your benefits. However, you have the right to appeal this decision. You can also request a work incentive consultation, where a Social Security representative explains your options for continuing to work while keeping some or all of your benefits. Work incentives include programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which can reduce your countable earnings.

If you disagree with Social Security's decision to end your benefits, you can file an appeal within 60 days of receiving the notice. During the appeal process, your benefits usually continue while your case is reviewed by an administrative law judge.

Reporting your work earnings to Social Security

You are required to report your work earnings to Social Security, even if you think they will not affect your benefits. The best way to report is through your online my Social Security account at ssa.gov, where you can log in and update your earnings information. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office in person.

When you report, have your pay stubs or a record of your monthly earnings ready. Social Security will ask for your gross earnings (before taxes) and the dates you worked. If you are self-employed, you will need to report your net earnings after business expenses.

Reporting promptly helps you avoid overpayments. If you earn above the SGA and do not report it, Social Security may pay you benefits you are not may have access to to. You would then owe that money back, which can create a debt that is difficult to repay. By reporting early, you give Social Security time to adjust your benefits correctly.

Work incentives that can help you keep benefits while earning

Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) allow you to deduct certain costs related to your disability from your earnings before Social Security counts them toward the SGA. For example, if you need a personal assistant to help you get to work, or specialized equipment, those costs can be subtracted. This can lower your countable earnings enough to stay under the SGA threshold.

A Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) is a written plan you create with Social Security that sets aside income and resources for a specific work goal—like training for a new job or starting a business. Money set aside in a PASS is not counted as income, which can help you stay under the SGA while you work toward your goal.

Both IRWE and PASS require paperwork and approval from Social Security, but they can make a real difference if you are earning close to the SGA. A work incentive planning project (often called a WIPP) in your area can help you figure out whether these programs would benefit you. You can find a WIPP near you by calling 1-866-968-7842.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does one month of earning above the SGA end my benefits?

No. Social Security looks at your average earnings over time, not just a single month. However, if you consistently earn above the SGA, Social Security will likely schedule a continuing disability review to determine whether your condition still prevents you from working.

What if I am self-employed—how do I count my earnings toward the SGA?

Self-employed earnings are counted as your net profit after business expenses, not your gross revenue. Report your net earnings to Social Security, and keep records of your business income and expenses. If you are unsure how to calculate net earnings, ask Social Security or a tax professional.

Can I appeal if Social Security says I earn too much to receive SSDI?

Yes. You have 60 days from the date you receive the notice to file an appeal. Your benefits usually continue while your appeal is being reviewed. You can also request a work incentive consultation to explore options like IRWE or PASS that might lower your countable earnings.

Will the SGA amount change again in 2026?

Yes. Social Security announces the new SGA amount each October for the following year. The exact amount depends on national wage trends, so it is not known until the announcement is made. You will receive a notice from Social Security when the new amount takes effect.

What if I earn below the SGA but still cannot work full-time?

Earning below the SGA does not may provide your benefits will continue. Social Security also looks at whether you are performing substantial gainful activity—meaning whether your work is significant in nature and duration, even if the pay is low. If you work part-time at a low wage, you are less likely to trigger a review, but Social Security can still review your case based on other factors.