Substantial Gainful Activity impacts eligibility for disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration.
When applying for Social Security disability benefits, the first step that the Social Security Administration will evaluate is if you are working above Substantial Gainful Activity, commonly referred to as SGA. The Social Security Administration uses SGA to decide whether your work activity and earnings show that you are able to engage in competitive employment despite your medical condition.
If your income is above the SGA limits, Social Security may determine that you are not disabled under their rules, even if you have a serious medical condition. Understanding SGA before you apply can help you avoid common mistakes and better prepare your claim.
What Is Substantial Gainful Activity?
SGA is a monthly earnings amount published by the SSA. It represents the level of income that Social Security considers to be substantial & gainful work activity. If you are earning more than this amount, the SSA generally assumes that you are capable of working full-time and are not qualified for Social Security Disability benefits.
SGA is not based only on income. Social Security also looks at the type of work you perform, how consistently you work, and whether your job requires special accommodations due to your medical condition. However, earnings are often the first and most critical factor reviewed.
Current SGA Limits
Social Security updates SGA amounts yearly based on national wage trends.
For 2026, the SGA limits are to:
- $1,690 per month for non blind individuals
- $2,830 per month for statutorily blind individuals
If you are earning above these amounts at the time of application, your claim may be denied without a full medical review.
How SGA Affects Your Ability to Qualify for Disability
To qualify for SSDI or SSI, you must show that you are unable to perform substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
This means Social Security evaluates two things together:
- Your medical condition and limitations
- Your work activity and earnings
Even if your condition is severe, working and earning above SGA can lead SSA to conclude that you are capable of sustaining employment. This is the most common reasons people are denied disability benefits at the initial application stage.
Can You Apply for Disability If You Are Still Working?
Yes, it is possible to apply for disability while working, but your earnings matter significantly.
If your monthly income is below SGA, Social Security may continue reviewing your medical evidence to determine whether you qualify. If your earnings are above SGA, SSA may deny your claim based solely on work activity.
In some cases, Social Security will look at whether your work is subsidized, inconsistent, or performed with significant accommodations. However, these situations require strong documentation and careful explanation.
Why Understanding SGA Before Applying Is Important
Many people delay applying for disability or apply unsuccessfully because they are unaware of SGA rules. Some common issues include:
- Working too many hours without realizing income limits.
- Taking short term or temporary work that pushes earnings over SGA.
- Failing to document reduced productivity or accommodations.
- Assuming medical severity alone guarantees approval.
What Happens After Approval and Why SGA Still Matters
Once approved for disability benefits, SGA continues to play a role in ongoing eligibility. Social Security monitors earnings to ensure beneficiaries remain unable to engage in substantial work activity.
Programs such as Trial Work Period and Ticket to Work exist to help beneficiaries explore employment later. However, these programs apply after approval and should not be confused with initial eligibility requirements.
Understanding the difference between applying for benefits and returning to work after approval is critical to avoiding confusion and denials.
How Disability Representatives of America Can Help
Navigating SGA rules and SSA eligibility requirements can be overwhelming, especially for first time applicants. We help individuals understand how work activity, income, and medical evidence interact under Social Security rules.
Support include:
- Education on SGA and eligibility requirements
- Guidance on when and how to apply
- Help understanding how work history affects SSDI eligibility
- Information about options if benefits are denied or later reinstated
Substantial Gainful Activity is one of the most important factors Social Security uses when deciding disability claims. Knowing the current SGA limits, how earnings affect eligibility, and how SSA evaluates work activity can help you avoid unnecessary denials and better understand whether applying for disability is the right next step for you.
If you are unsure how your income or work history may affect your eligibility, learning more before applying can save time and frustration later.
You do not have to complete your application on your own. Contact us by phone (866) 699-6630 or through our online form, and our team will guide you through each step of the process and provide support with your application.