What Is the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limit?
The substantial gainful activity limit is $1,690 a month in 2026 and $1,770 in 2027, or $2,830 and $2,950 if you’re blind. Social Security uses it to decide whether you’re able to work: if your earnings from work average more than the limit, you’re generally not considered disabled, and an SSDI claim is denied at the first step or benefits stop after the work incentives run out. It’s measured on gross wages, before taxes, minus certain work expenses, and only earnings from work count.
SGA amounts by year
| Year | Non-blind | Blind |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $1,770 | $2,950 |
| 2026 | $1,690 | $2,830 |
| 2025 | $1,620 | $2,700 |
| 2024 | $1,550 | $2,590 |
| 2023 | $1,470 | $2,460 |
| 2022 | $1,350 | $2,260 |
Swipe sideways to see the full table →
Both amounts rise each January with the national average wage index, not with the cost-of-living adjustment, so they can go up when benefits don’t. The blind amount is set by law; the non-blind amount by regulation.
Figures like $1,470 or $1,550 that still circulate online are the 2023 and 2024 limits.
What counts toward the limit
For employees, Social Security looks at gross pay, before taxes and deductions, in the month you did the work rather than the month you were paid. Only earnings from work count. Investment income, a pension, a spouse’s pay, long-term disability payments and the SSDI benefit itself don’t.
Three things are subtracted before your earnings are compared with the limit:
- Impairment-related work expenses: costs you pay yourself because of your condition that let you work, such as specialized transportation, medication or equipment.
- Subsidies: employer support that means you’re paid more than your work is worth, such as a job coach, extra supervision or easier duties than coworkers.
- Special conditions: similar support from someone else, such as a vocational rehabilitation agency.
If you went back to work and had to stop or drop below the limit within six months because of your condition, Social Security can treat it as an unsuccessful work attempt and ignore those earnings.
If you’re self-employed
Self-employment isn’t measured by gross receipts. Social Security starts with net profit, subtracts the reasonable value of significant unpaid help from family or others and any impairment-related work expenses, and compares the result, usually averaged over the period worked, with the limit. It also looks at your hours and the value of your work: someone working long hours in a business, or doing work that would be worth more than the limit if done by an employee, can be found doing SGA even with a low profit. Delivery and rideshare drivers count as self-employed.
Before approval and after approval
The same dollar amount works differently depending on where you are in the process:
| Stage | What happens if you earn over the limit |
|---|---|
| Applying for SSDI | The claim is denied at the first step, whatever your condition |
| On SSDI, during the trial work period | Nothing; you keep full benefits for 9 trial months (any month over $1,210 in 2026, $1,270 in 2027) |
| On SSDI, in the 36-month extended period | No check for months over the limit, after a three-month grace period |
| On SSDI, after the extended period | Benefits end if you work above the limit, though expedited reinstatement is possible |
Swipe sideways to see the full table →
Most people get several years of earnings above the limit before benefits end for good under the rules for working on SSDI.
Blind applicants and SSI
The higher blind limit applies only to SSDI. For SSI, the non-blind limit is used to decide whether an applicant is disabled, but once you’re on SSI, earnings above it don’t end eligibility. Instead, SSI is reduced by about $1 for every $2 of earnings above the first $85 a month, until the payment reaches zero.