One of the economic requirements to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is to avoid engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA for short. This means that if you want to apply for disability benefits, you must not meet the standard of SGA. But what exactly is Substantial Gainful Activity, and why does it matter?
What is Substantial Gainful Activity?
In simple terms, Substantial Gainful Activity refers to any kind of work that earns more than a certain amount of income every month. To be able to qualify for SSDI or SSI, you cannot earn more than the SGI limit from work, whether you are an employee or an independent contractor. This requirement is put into place because disability benefits are meant to support people who cannot support themselves, and if you exceed these limits, it is assumed you do not need the additional benefits.
What Amount Counts as SGA?
The exact amount of income that qualifies as Substantial Gainful Activity changes from year to year, and scales up with something known as the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). In 2026, the SGA for non-blind individuals is $1,690 per month. Meanwhile, for blind individuals, it is as high as $2,830 per month.
What Happens if You Meet the SGA Threshold?
If your monthly income meets or exceeds the SGA, you may be disqualified from being able to access either SSDI or SSI. However, if you are already on disability benefits and your income rises above the threshold, you may be able to keep obtaining benefits for a “trial work period.” This is meant to avoid kicking someone off disability benefits if they attempt to get back into the workforce, but they are ultimately unable to sustain employment due to their disability.
What Should You Do?
The best way to ensure you can get and maintain disability benefits is to consult a lawyer with experience handling SSDI and SSi claims. They can help you understand your legal options, and ensure you have the best possible chance of success in your application. They can also argue on your behalf if your claim is denied and you need to appeal.
If you or a loved one need assistance applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, it is important that you seek the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability benefits lawyer. The lawyers at Sullivan & Kehoe, LLP have over 50 years of combined experience between its attorneys and are available to you or your loved one in obtaining Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits. To schedule a consultation with our New York Social Security Disability benefits lawyers, call (631) 823-7155.
