The 2025 SGA Limit for SSDI

The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit for 2025 is $1,550 per month for most people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance. This is the amount of monthly earnings at which Social Security assumes you are working at a level substantial enough that you no longer may have access to for SSDI benefits. If you earn more than this amount in a calendar month, that month does not count toward your work incentive protections, and your benefits may stop.

The limit increases each year because it is tied to the national average wage index. Social Security announces the new limit in October or November for the following year. The 2025 figure represents an increase from the 2024 limit of $1,550 — the amount stayed the same because the national average wage did not rise enough to trigger an increase.

This limit applies whether you work for an employer, are self-employed, or do both. It is based on your gross earnings before taxes or deductions. The only earnings that do not count toward the SGA limit are certain work incentive payments, such as Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) expenses and impairment-related work expenses (IRWE).

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 SGA limit is $1,550 per month; earning more than this in a single month means that month does not count as a trial work month or protected earnings month.
  • The limit applies to gross earnings from work, whether you are employed or self-employed, and increases each year based on national wage trends.
  • Months in which you earn at or below the SGA limit still count toward your nine-month trial work period and do not trigger a benefit suspension.
  • Certain work incentive deductions — such as PASS plan expenses and impairment-related work expenses — reduce your countable earnings and may keep you under the limit even if your gross pay is higher.
  • If you exceed the SGA limit, you should report it to Social Security when ready; waiting to report can result in overpayments you will have to repay.

How the SGA Limit Affects Your Trial Work Period

The trial work period is a nine-month window during which you can earn any amount without losing SSDI benefits, as long as you report your work to Social Security. However, only months in which you earn $1,000 or less count toward those nine months. The $1,000 figure is separate from the SGA limit and is called the trial work month threshold.

Once you have used nine trial work months, Social Security enters a 36-month extended may be able to access period. During this period, your benefits stop only in months when you earn $1,550 or more — the SGA limit. This means you can work and earn between $1,000 and $1,550 per month during extended may be able to access without losing benefits in those months.

If you return to work after a period of not working, your trial work period does not restart automatically. You must contact Social Security to discuss your work situation and confirm which phase of the work incentive program you are in.

What Counts and Does Not Count as Earnings

Social Security counts most forms of income from work toward the SGA limit. This includes wages from a job, net profit from self-employment, bonuses, commissions, and vacation pay. The amount is based on what you earn, not when you receive the payment — so if you work in December but are paid in January, the earnings count in December.

Several types of income do not count toward the SGA limit. These include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), other Social Security benefits, food stamps, housing information, and most other government benefits. Royalties, rental income, and investment earnings also do not count. Work incentive payments such as PASS plan expenses and impairment-related work expenses reduce your countable earnings dollar-for-dollar.

If you are self-employed, Social Security counts your net profit — total revenue minus ordinary and necessary business expenses. You will need to report your business income on your tax return or provide other documentation of your earnings.

Reporting Your Earnings to Social Security

You are required to report your work and earnings to Social Security within the month in which you earn the money. You can report online through your my Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. If you miss the reporting important date, Social Security may overpay you, and you will have to repay the extra benefits.

When you report, have your pay stubs or business records ready. Social Security will ask for your gross earnings, the dates you worked, and the name of your employer or business. If your earnings change from month to month, you will need to report each month separately.

Some people use a work incentive representative or benefits planning information service to help track and report earnings. These services are free and can help you understand how work will affect your benefits before you start a job.

What Happens If You Exceed the SGA Limit

If you earn more than $1,550 in a single month, that month does not count as a trial work month (if you are still in your nine-month period). Your benefits for that month are not automatically stopped, but the month is skipped in your trial work count. Once you have completed nine months in which you earned $1,000 or less, you move into extended may be able to access.

During extended may be able to access, if you earn $1,550 or more in a month, your SSDI benefits stop for that month only. Your benefits resume the following month if your earnings drop back below the limit. This is different from a permanent termination — you can work above the limit in some months and below it in others without losing your benefits permanently.

If you consistently earn above the SGA limit for nine or more months in a row, Social Security will send you a notice that your benefits are ending. You will have the right to appeal this decision. If your work situation changes and you drop back below the limit, you can contact Social Security to discuss restarting benefits.

SGA Limits for Blind Individuals

If you are receiving SSDI and are blind, the SGA limit is higher: $2,590 per month for 2025. This higher limit recognizes that blind individuals may have additional work-related expenses. The definition of blindness for this purpose is specific — you must have central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in your better eye, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.

The same reporting requirements and trial work period rules explore to blind beneficiaries. The only difference is the dollar amount at which earnings are considered substantial. If you believe you may may have access to for the higher blind SGA limit, contact Social Security to discuss your vision and work situation.

Planning Your Work Around the SGA Limit

If you are thinking about returning to work, you can use the SGA limit to plan your hours and pay. For example, if you earn $20 per hour, you could work roughly 77 hours per month (at $1,550) without exceeding the SGA limit. If you work part-time or have variable hours, tracking your monthly earnings helps you stay under the limit during your trial work period.

Some people use a work incentive called a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) to set aside income for a specific work goal — such as starting a business or getting training. Money set aside in a PASS plan does not count toward the SGA limit, which can help you stay under the threshold while you save.

Social Security also offers a Ticket to Work program, which gives you up to 60 months to test your work capacity with additional protections. During the Ticket program, your benefits continue even if you exceed the SGA limit, as long as you are working with an approved employment network or vocational rehabilitation agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SGA limit change every year?

Yes, the SGA limit is adjusted each year based on the national average wage index. Social Security announces the new limit in October for the following year. The limit may stay the same from one year to the next if wages do not increase enough to trigger a change, but it never decreases.

What if I earn exactly $1,550 in a month?

If you earn exactly $1,550, you are at the SGA limit. Social Security considers this substantial gainful activity. During your trial work period, this month does not count toward your nine months. During extended may be able to access, your benefits stop for that month.

Can I work more than one job and still stay under the SGA limit?

Yes. Social Security adds up all your earnings from all sources of work in a single month. If your combined gross earnings from multiple jobs total $1,550 or less, you are under the limit for that month. You must report all work to Social Security.

Do I lose my benefits permanently if I exceed the SGA limit once?

No. Exceeding the SGA limit in one month does not end your benefits permanently. During your trial work period, that month straightforward does not count. During extended may be able to access, your benefits stop only for that one month and resume the next month if you earn less than the limit.

What if I do not report my earnings?

If you do not report earnings and Social Security discovers them later, you will receive an overpayment notice. You will have to repay all benefits you received for months in which you should not have been paid. Reporting on time prevents this problem and protects your benefits record.