What the 2023 SGA limit was

In 2023, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit for SSDI was $1,470 per month. This is the amount of earned income Social Security uses to decide whether you are working at a level that counts as substantial work. If you earn more than this in a month, Social Security may assume you are no longer disabled and could stop your benefits.

The SGA limit changes each year because Social Security ties it to the national average wage. The $1,470 figure applied to most people receiving SSDI throughout 2023. However, if you are blind, the limit was higher — $2,460 per month in 2023 — because the law recognizes that blind workers often need more income to cover work-related expenses.

It is important to understand that earning more than the SGA limit does not automatically end your benefits that same month. Social Security has a process called the trial work period that lets you test your ability to work without losing benefits right away.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2023 SGA limit was $1,470 per month for most SSDI recipients, and $2,460 per month if you are blind.
  • SGA measures whether you are doing substantial work, not whether you need benefits — you can earn below the limit and still work part-time.
  • The limit increases each January based on the national average wage, so the 2024 figure is different from 2023.
  • Earning above the SGA limit in one month does not stop your benefits when ready; Social Security uses a trial work period to measure your work capacity over time.

How Social Security uses the SGA limit

Social Security does not use the SGA limit to measure how much money you need or how poor you are. Instead, it measures whether the work you are doing is substantial enough to suggest you are no longer disabled. The limit is a bright line: if your earnings cross it, Social Security will look more closely at whether your disability still prevents you from working.

The SGA limit applies only to earned income — wages from a job, net income from self-employment, or royalties. It does not count unearned income like Social Security benefits themselves, interest, dividends, rental income, or money from family members. This means you can receive other income and still stay under the SGA limit.

Social Security also does not count certain work expenses when calculating your earnings. If you are blind, they subtract the cost of items or services you need because of your blindness — such as a guide dog, Braille materials, or transportation to work. If you have a disability, they may subtract impairment-related work expenses (IRWE) — costs directly tied to your ability to work, like medical equipment or attendant care.

The trial work period and what happens after

Even if you earn above the SGA limit, you have a built-in protection called the trial work period. During this nine-month window, you can earn any amount and keep your full SSDI benefit. The nine months do not have to be consecutive — Social Security counts any nine months in a rolling 60-month period where you reported earnings.

After your trial work period ends, Social Security enters the extended may be able to access period, which lasts 36 months. During these three years, if you earn above the SGA limit in any month, you lose your benefit that month only. You do not lose your benefits permanently. Once your earnings drop below the SGA limit again, your benefits restart without a new process.

If you continue to earn above the SGA limit for nine consecutive months during the extended may be able to access period, your SSDI ends. At that point, you would need to reapply and go through the full approval process again if your earnings later drop and you want benefits to resume.

Why the SGA limit changes every year

Social Security updates the SGA limit each January to keep pace with wage growth across the country. The agency uses the national average wage index from two years prior — so the 2023 limit was based on 2021 wage data, and the 2024 limit was based on 2022 wage data. This lag means the limit you see in January reflects economic conditions from the recent past, not the current year.

Because wages generally rise over time, the SGA limit usually increases each year. However, the size of the increase varies. Some years it goes up by $20 or $30; other years it jumps by $100 or more. Social Security publishes the new limit in December of the prior year, so you have time to plan before it takes effect.

If you are working and your earnings are close to the SGA limit, it is worth checking the new figure each December. A small raise or bonus that kept you under the old limit might push you over the new one.

SGA limits for self-employed workers

If you are self-employed, Social Security counts your net profit — what you earn after business expenses — toward the SGA limit. This is different from how they treat wages, where they count your gross pay before taxes.

For self-employed workers, Social Security looks at your average monthly net profit over the past 12 months. If that average is above the SGA limit, they will review your case more closely. They also consider whether you are working full-time or part-time, how much time you spend on the business, and whether you are doing the same kind of work you did before you became disabled.

Self-employed income can be harder to track than wages because it varies month to month. Keep clear records of your business income and expenses so you can show Social Security exactly what you earned in each month. If you are unsure how to report self-employment income, contact your local Social Security office or ask a benefits planning organization.

Planning your work with the SGA limit in mind

If you are thinking about returning to work while on SSDI, the SGA limit is one tool to understand, but it should not be your only guide. Earning below the SGA limit does not mean you are safe from a benefits review — Social Security can still look at the kind of work you are doing, how many hours you work, and whether your condition has improved. The SGA limit is a threshold, not a may provide.

Many people benefit from working with a benefits planning organization before they start work. These organizations can help you understand how your earnings will affect your benefits month by month, what expenses you can deduct, and how the trial work period protects you. Some are free, and some charge a fee. Your local Social Security office can point you toward planning services in your area.

If you are already working and your earnings are rising, do not wait until you cross the SGA limit to reach out. Contact Social Security early to report your work and ask questions about how your benefits will change. The sooner you report, the fewer surprises you will face.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I earn above the SGA limit for one month?

If you are still in your trial work period, nothing happens — you keep your full benefit. If you are in the extended may be able to access period, you lose your benefit for that month only. Your benefits restart the next month if your earnings drop below the SGA limit again.

Does the SGA limit change if I move to a different state?

No. The SGA limit is set by the federal government and is the same everywhere in the United States. Your state does not have its own SGA limit.

Can I count my spouse's income toward the SGA limit?

No. Social Security only counts your own earned income. Your spouse's wages, your household income, or money from other family members do not affect your SGA calculation.

If I am blind, do I get the higher SGA limit automatically?

Social Security should know you are blind from your case file, but it is worth confirming. Contact your local office and ask them to verify that they are using the higher SGA limit ($2,460 in 2023) for your case. If they are not, ask them to correct it.

What is the SGA limit for 2024?

Social Security announces the new SGA limit in December of the prior year. Check the official Social Security website or call your local office to learn the current year's figure, as it changes annually based on national wage data.