Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

One of the most important factors the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to determine whether you qualify for SSDI is whether you are engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). SGA refers to the amount of income you earn from working.

For 2025, the SSA defines SGA as earning more than $1,470 per month (or $2,460 for blind individuals). If you are earning more than this threshold through your part-time job, the SSA may determine that you are able to work, and you may not be eligible for SSDI.

How Part-Time Work Affects Your SSDI Application

If your part-time job earnings are below the SGA threshold, you can still apply for SSDI benefits. The key consideration is whether your medical condition prevents you from performing substantial work. Here’s how part-time work can affect your application:

• Earnings Below SGA: If you are earning less than the SGA limit and your disability still prevents you from performing your job or any other type of work, you may still qualify for SSDI benefits.
• Earnings Above SGA: If you are earning above the SGA threshold, the SSA may consider you not disabled, as they may assume you are capable of working full-time. In this case, your application may be denied, and you may need to reconsider your work situation or wait until your earnings fall below the SGA limit before applying.

The Importance of Medical Evidence

Even if you are working part-time, the most important factor in your SSDI claim is whether your disability meets the SSA’s definition of a severe impairment that prevents you from working. Your medical condition must be severe enough to significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities, such as:

• Physical or mental limitations that prevent you from performing work duties.
• Inability to perform your usual job tasks, regardless of whether you are working part-time or full-time.
• Expected duration of disability: The SSA requires that your condition either lasts for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.

It’s essential to provide detailed medical evidence to show how your condition affects your ability to work, even if you are working a part-time job.

Trial Work Period (TWP) for SSDI Recipients

If you are receiving SSDI benefits and decide to return to part-time work, the SSA allows you to do so through the Trial Work Period (TWP). The TWP allows individuals receiving SSDI to test their ability to work without losing their benefits.

Here’s how it works:

• You can earn any amount of money during the TWP without losing your SSDI benefits, as long as you are working for 9 months within a 60-month period.
• If you work part-time and earn above the SGA threshold during this period, it won’t affect your benefits until you’ve used up the 9-month TWP.
• After the TWP, if you continue to work and earn above the SGA limit, your SSDI benefits may stop.

It’s crucial to track your earnings and report your work activity to the SSA to ensure you comply with the TWP rules.

Can You Qualify for SSI While Working Part-Time?

If you are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the rules are slightly different. SSI is based on financial need, so your income and resources will be taken into account when determining your eligibility. If you are working part-time, your income may reduce your SSI benefits.

Here’s how part-time work impacts SSI:

• Income Limits: The SSA sets income limits for SSI recipients. In 2025, the monthly income limit for an individual is $1,063. If your part-time job earnings exceed this amount, your SSI benefits may be reduced or stopped altogether.
• Countable Income: Only certain income is considered "countable" when determining SSI eligibility. For example, the first $20 of income in a month is excluded, as well as the first $65 of earned income. You should report your part-time earnings to the SSA, and they will calculate how much of your income is countable.