What Is Substantial Gainful Activity?

If you’re applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), one of the most important terms you’ll hear is Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA.

It might sound like government jargon — but understanding what SGA means could be the difference between getting approved or denied for disability benefits.

At Crossroads Disability, part of Crossroads Law Group, LLC, we help Indiana residents understand exactly how SGA affects their claim and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to denials.

⚖️ What Does “Substantial Gainful Activity” Mean?

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) refers to the level of work and income that the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers to be “substantial enough to show you can engage in competitive employment.”

Put simply, if you are working and earning more than a certain amount each month, SSA may decide that you are not disabled, even if you have serious medical conditions.

💵 The SGA Amount for 2025

Each year, the SSA sets a new monthly income limit for SGA.

For 2025, the SGA levels are:

$1,620 per month for non-blind individuals
$2,700 per month for individuals who are statutorily blind

If you earn more than these amounts from work, the SSA generally considers that you are capable of “substantial gainful activity” — and your disability claim will likely be denied.

If you earn less, your case may proceed to the next step, where SSA reviews your medical records and work history.

🧾 What Counts Toward SGA?

SSA looks at gross monthly earnings — the total amount you earn before taxes or deductions.

However, there are some exceptions. You can subtract certain work-related expenses when calculating your actual SGA income, such as:

The cost of medications, medical devices, or transportation needed for work
Wages paid to a helper or caretaker that allow you to work
Part of the value of subsidized work (for example, if your employer pays you more than the work you perform is worth due to your disability)

SSA also considers whether the work you perform is substantial — meaning it involves significant mental or physical activity — and whether it’s gainful, meaning it’s done for pay or profit.

🧠 What If You’re Working Part-Time?

Many people think they can’t apply for disability if they work at all — but that’s not true.

You can still work below the SGA threshold and qualify for benefits.

For example, if you work part-time and earn $1,200 per month, SSA may find that you are not engaging in substantial gainful activity.

However, even small amounts of work are closely examined. SSA will look at:

How many hours you work
What kind of work you do
Whether your duties show you could perform full-time work

That’s why it’s critical to document your limitations, absences, and medical restrictions carefully.

⚙️ What Happens If You Exceed SGA While on SSDI?

If you’re already receiving SSDI benefits, SSA gives you a Trial Work Period (TWP) — a 9-month window (not necessarily consecutive) where you can test working again without losing your benefits.

After the TWP, SSA may evaluate whether your ongoing earnings exceed the SGA level.
If they do, your benefits could stop — but you may still qualify for Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) or Expedited Reinstatement if your condition worsens again later.

📉 What About SSI?

For SSI, which is needs-based, the rules are a bit different.

SSA still uses the SGA limit when deciding initial eligibility, but after you qualify, your SSI payment may be reduced gradually as your income increases — rather than cut off completely.

💬 Final Thoughts

Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is key to building a strong Social Security Disability case.

It’s not just about your diagnosis — it’s about how much you work and earn, and how your medical condition truly limits your ability to hold a full-time job.

At Crossroads Disability, we help clients across Indiana navigate the entire SSDI and SSI process — from filing to appeal — and make sure your claim meets every technical requirement, including SGA.