Substantial gainful activity is a key concept in determining eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration uses SGA to assess whether a person’s disability prevents them from engaging in meaningful work.
If you are seeking disability benefits, it is important for you to fully understand SGA and how it works.
Defining substantial gainful activity
Substantial gainful activity refers to a level of work activity and earnings that the SSA considers significant enough to disqualify someone from receiving disability benefits. Substantial activity involves tasks that are meaningful and productive, typically the kind of work that an employer will pay you for. Gainful activity means that the work generates income.
For 2024, the SSA has set the monthly SGA earnings limit at $1,550 for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals. This means that if you are working and earning more than these amounts per month, the SSA may presume your work is substantial gainful activity and determine that you are not eligible for disability benefits.
How SGA affects disability benefits
The SSA evaluates an applicant’s earnings to determine whether their work qualifies as SGA. If earnings exceed the SGA limit, the SSA may conclude that the individual can engage in significant work, even if they have a medical condition. In such cases, the individual may not qualify for disability benefits.
For those already receiving benefits, the SSA conducts periodic reviews to see if the individual’s work activity surpasses the SGA threshold. If it does, the SSA may stop their benefits. However, there are exceptions, such as the Trial Work Period, which allows individuals to work and test their ability to maintain employment without immediately losing benefits.
A person’s ability to participate in substantial gainful activity is a key factor in determining Social Security Disability eligibility. By understanding SGA, you can better navigate the process and avoid potential issues with your benefits.
