The 2025 SGA limit is $1,550 per month

If you receive SSDI, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is the amount of monthly income Social Security uses to decide whether you are still disabled enough to keep your benefits. For 2025, that limit is $1,550 per month. If you earn more than this amount in a month, Social Security may consider you able to work and could stop your benefits.

The limit changes every year because Social Security adjusts it based on national wage trends. The 2025 figure is higher than 2024's limit of $1,470, which means you can earn slightly more before triggering a work incentive rule or a benefits review.

This limit applies to most people on SSDI. There is a separate, higher limit for people who are blind, which is $2,590 per month in 2025. If you are blind, you can earn more before the SGA limit affects your case.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 SGA limit of $1,550 per month is the threshold Social Security uses to measure whether you are working at a substantial level.
  • Earning more than $1,550 in a single month does not automatically stop your benefits, but it can trigger a work incentive review or a medical review of your case.
  • If you are blind, the 2025 SGA limit is $2,590 per month, allowing you to earn more before the limit applies.
  • The limit increases each year, so the amount that matters in 2026 will be different from 2025.

How Social Security measures your monthly earnings

Social Security counts gross income — the money you earn before taxes or deductions — when checking whether you have crossed the SGA limit. This includes wages from a job, net profit from self-employment, and certain other forms of income. It does not include benefits you receive, such as SSDI itself, SSI, or unemployment insurance.

The month matters. If you earn $1,600 in January and $800 in February, Social Security looks at each month separately. The $1,600 January crosses the limit; the $800 February does not. You do not add them together for the year.

If you work for yourself, Social Security counts your net profit — the money left after business expenses — not your total revenue. Keep records of what you spend to run your business, because those deductions lower the income Social Security counts.

What happens if you earn more than the SGA limit

Crossing the SGA limit in one month does not stop your benefits when ready. Instead, it signals to Social Security that you may be working at a substantial level, which can trigger a review of your medical condition. Social Security may ask you to report your work activity and earnings, and they may schedule a medical exam to see if your condition has improved.

If Social Security determines that you are able to work and no longer disabled, they can stop your benefits. However, this does not happen automatically or when ready. You will receive a notice explaining why they are reviewing your case, and you have the right to respond and provide medical evidence that you are still disabled despite earning above the SGA limit.

Some people on SSDI use work incentives — rules that let you test your ability to work without losing benefits right away. The Trial Work Period, for example, lets you earn any amount for nine months without affecting your benefits. These programs exist specifically so you can try working without the fear of losing income when ready.

The difference between SGA and other work-related limits

The SGA limit is not the same as the earnings limit for the Trial Work Period or the Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) deduction. The SGA limit is about whether you are working at a substantial level; the Trial Work Period is about testing your work capacity; and IRWE is about subtracting certain work-related costs from your income.

If you are in your Trial Work Period, you can earn any amount without it counting against your benefits. Once the Trial Work Period ends, the SGA limit becomes the measure Social Security uses. If you have work expenses related to your disability — such as a personal assistant, medical equipment, or transportation — you may be able to deduct those costs, which lowers the income Social Security counts.

Understanding which rule applies to your situation matters, because they work differently. If you are unsure which one affects you, contact your local Social Security office or ask a work incentive planning counselor, who can explain your specific situation for free.

Why the SGA limit changes every year

Social Security adjusts the SGA limit each year to reflect changes in the national average wage. When wages across the country go up, the SGA limit goes up too. This keeps the limit meaningful — it stays roughly aligned with what counts as substantial work in the current economy.

The 2025 limit of $1,550 is an increase from 2024's $1,470, reflecting wage growth over that period. The limit for people who are blind also increased, from $2,460 in 2024 to $2,590 in 2025. Social Security announces the new limits each October or November for the following year.

Because the limit changes, it is worth checking the current year's amount if you are planning to work or if you are near the threshold. An amount that was safe to earn in 2024 might cross the limit in 2025 if your earnings stay the same but the limit drops — though in recent years the trend has been upward.

Planning your work if you are on SSDI

If you are thinking about working or increasing your hours, knowing the SGA limit helps you plan. You do not have to stay under it, but crossing it means Social Security will review your case. Some people decide that earning more and risking a benefits review is worth it; others prefer to stay under the limit to avoid the uncertainty.

Before you start working or change your job, tell Social Security about your plans. You can report your work activity to your local office or through your online my Social Security account. Reporting early gives Social Security a clear picture of what you are doing and can help avoid confusion or delays later.

If you have questions about how your specific job or earnings will affect your benefits, a work incentive planning counselor can walk through the numbers with you. These counselors work for organizations funded by Social Security and offer free guidance. You can find one through your state vocational rehabilitation agency or by calling your local Social Security office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does earning $1,550 one time stop my SSDI?

No. Earning exactly $1,550 or slightly more in a single month does not automatically stop your benefits. It may trigger Social Security to review your case and ask about your work, but crossing the limit once is not a termination. Social Security looks at your overall situation and whether you are consistently working at a substantial level.

What if I earn over the SGA limit but I still cannot work full-time because of my disability?

You can explain this to Social Security during a review. The SGA limit is one measure, but Social Security also considers whether your condition prevents you from working consistently. If you can work some hours but your disability limits you, that information matters in their decision. Provide medical evidence and a clear description of your limitations.

Does the SGA limit explore to SSI as well as SSDI?

The SGA limit applies to SSDI. SSI has different rules and different income limits. If you receive both SSDI and SSI, ask your Social Security representative which rules explore to your case, because they can work differently.

Can I use the Trial Work Period to earn over the SGA limit without consequences?

Yes. During your nine-month Trial Work Period, you can earn any amount without it affecting your SSDI benefits. The SGA limit does not explore during this period. Once the Trial Work Period ends, the SGA limit becomes the measure Social Security uses again.

Where can I find the SGA limit for next year?

Social Security announces the next year's SGA limit in October or November on their official website, ssa.gov. You can also call your local Social Security office or check your online my Social Security account for updates about limits that explore to your benefits.