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 gainful activity. If you earned more than $1,470 in a month, Social Security could determine that you were performing SGA and review whether you still met the definition of disability.
The SGA limit changes each year because Social Security adjusts it based on national wage trends. The 2023 figure applied to all months in that calendar year. If you were receiving SSDI benefits in 2023, this was the threshold that mattered for your work reports and benefit payments.
For people who are blind, Social Security used a different, higher SGA limit in 2023: $2,460 per month. This higher threshold has existed for decades as a policy choice to allow blind workers more room to test their work capacity without losing benefits.
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 SGA limit was $1,470 per month for most SSDI recipients; $2,460 per month for those who are blind.
- Earning more than the SGA limit in a month does not automatically stop your benefits, but it triggers a medical review of your disability status.
- The SGA limit changes every January based on the national average wage index from two years prior.
- You must report your earnings to Social Security, and the way you report them affects when the review happens.
- The 2024 SGA limit increased to $1,550 per month, so the 2023 figure is now historical but still relevant if you are reviewing past work history.
How Social Security Used the SGA Limit in 2023
The SGA limit was not a hard cutoff that stopped your benefits on the first dollar over the threshold. Instead, it was a signal to Social Security that you might no longer be disabled. If you reported earnings above $1,470 in a single month during 2023, Social Security would open a medical review called a Continuing Disability Review (CDR).
During a CDR, Social Security asked whether your condition had improved enough that you could work at a substantial level. They looked at your medical records, sometimes ordered new evaluations, and made a new disability information. You could still receive benefits if your condition had not improved enough to allow you to work consistently, even if you had earned above the SGA limit in one or more months.
The review process took time — usually several months — and you continued to receive benefits while it was underway. If Social Security found that you were no longer disabled, your benefits would stop, but you would receive written notice and a chance to request a hearing before the decision took effect.
Why the SGA Limit Changed Year to Year
Social Security is required by law to adjust the SGA limit each January based on the national average wage index from two years before. In 2023, the adjustment used wage data from 2021. This means the 2023 limit was set in late 2022, before anyone knew what 2023 wages would actually be.
The national average wage index measures what workers across the country earned on average. When average wages rise, the SGA limit rises with it. When wage growth is flat or slow, the SGA limit stays the same or rises very little. This method is meant to keep the SGA limit roughly in line with what counts as meaningful work in the broader economy.
The adjustment happened automatically each year. You did not have to do anything, and Social Security did not send a separate notice about the new limit. However, if you were working or planning to work, it was worth checking the new limit each January to understand how your earnings would be reported.
Reporting Your 2023 Earnings to Social Security
If you were receiving SSDI in 2023 and had earned income, you were required to report it to Social Security. The way you reported your earnings affected when a medical review would happen. There were two main reporting paths: the regular reporting system and the Ticket to Work program.
Under regular reporting, you reported your earnings to Social Security each month, usually through your online account or by phone. If you earned more than $1,470 in a month, Social Security would note it and could begin a CDR. Most SSDI recipients used regular reporting.
If you were enrolled in the Ticket to Work program, you had different rules. You could earn above the SGA limit for a longer period — up to nine months in a rolling 60-month period — before a medical review was triggered. The Ticket to Work was designed to give people more time to test their work capacity without the when ready threat of a benefits review. You had to be enrolled in the program to use these protections, and enrollment required a separate step.
The Difference Between SGA and Trial Work Period
The SGA limit is often confused with the Trial Work Period (TWP), but they are separate rules. During your TWP, you could earn any amount without affecting your SSDI benefits. The TWP lasted nine months (not necessarily consecutive) and was a one-time benefit for each SSDI recipient.
Once your TWP ended, the SGA limit took over. After that point, earning above the SGA limit could trigger a medical review. Many people used their TWP to test whether they could work without losing benefits, then used the SGA limit and Ticket to Work protections to continue working while keeping benefits active during the review process.
If you received SSDI in 2023 and were unsure whether you had used your TWP, you could check your Social Security account online or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask. Social Security kept a record of which months counted toward your nine-month TWP.
What Happened If You Earned Above the 2023 SGA Limit
Earning above $1,470 in a month in 2023 did not mean your benefits stopped when ready. Social Security would flag your case for a medical review, but you continued to receive benefits while the review was underway. The process usually took two to four months, sometimes longer if Social Security needed additional medical information.
During the review, Social Security examined your medical records and sometimes requested new evaluations from your doctors. They asked whether your condition had improved and whether you could work at a substantial level on an ongoing basis. A single month of high earnings did not automatically prove you were no longer disabled — Social Security looked at the overall picture of your condition and work capacity.
If Social Security found that you were still disabled despite the earnings, your benefits continued without change. If they found that you were no longer disabled, they sent you a written notice explaining the decision and gave you the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You had 60 days from the date of the notice to request a hearing.
How the 2023 Limit Compares to Other Years
| Year | SGA Limit (Non-Blind) | SGA Limit (Blind) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $1,310 | $2,190 |
| 2022 | $1,350 | $2,260 |
| 2023 | $1,470 | $2,460 |
| 2024 | $1,550 | $2,590 |
The 2023 SGA limit represented a significant jump from 2022, rising by $120 per month for non-blind recipients. This increase reflected wage growth in the national economy. The 2024 limit rose again to $1,550, continuing the upward trend. If you are reviewing your work history from 2023 or comparing it to other years, these figures show how the threshold has moved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does earning over the SGA limit automatically stop my SSDI benefits?
No. Earning above the SGA limit triggers a medical review, but your benefits continue while Social Security reviews your case. They must determine that you are no longer disabled before your benefits stop. You receive written notice and a chance to request a hearing if you disagree.
What if I earned over $1,470 in only one month in 2023?
One month of high earnings can trigger a review, but it does not prove you are performing substantial gainful activity. Social Security looks at whether you are working at a substantial level on an ongoing basis. If the high month was unusual, you can explain that to Social Security during the review process.
Is the 2023 SGA limit still relevant now that 2024 has started?
The 2023 limit is no longer used for current work reports, but it matters if you are reviewing your earnings history, appealing a past decision, or calculating how much you earned in a specific year. Your Social Security record shows which limit applied to each month you worked.
How do I know if I am in the Trial Work Period or subject to the SGA limit?
You can check your Social Security account online at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. Social Security tracks your TWP months and can tell you whether you have months remaining or whether you are in the SGA phase of your work incentives.
Does the SGA limit explore to unearned income like SSI or child support?
No. The SGA limit applies only to earned income — money you make from work. Other income like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), child support, or gifts does not count toward the SGA limit, though it may affect your benefits in other ways.