What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a concept called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SGA refers to the amount of work you can do and still be considered disabled by the SSA.

• For SSDI:
  In order to qualify for SSDI, you generally cannot be engaging in SGA, which means you must be earning less than a certain amount of income from work. In 2025, the monthly income limit for SGA is $1,470 for non-blind individuals and $2,460 for blind individuals. If you earn more than this amount, the SSA will likely consider that you are not disabled under their definition, regardless of your condition.
• For SSI:
  The income limit for SSI is lower than for SSDI, and the eligibility is based on both your income and resources. The income limits vary based on your living situation, but the SSA also considers part-time work and other sources of income when determining SSI eligibility.

How Does Part-Time Work Affect SSDI Eligibility?

If you are working part-time and your earnings exceed the SGA limit, the SSA may determine that you are not disabled because you are able to engage in substantial work. However, if your earnings are below the SGA limit, you may still be eligible for SSDI, even if you are working part-time.

• Example:
  If you are working part-time but your monthly earnings are less than $1,470 (in 2025), you may still qualify for SSDI. This assumes that your condition prevents you from performing full-time work or substantial gainful activity.

How Does Part-Time Work Affect SSI Eligibility?

For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the SSA will consider both your income from work and other financial resources. If you are working part-time, your earnings will count toward the SSI income limit, which may reduce or eliminate your eligibility for SSI benefits.

• If your part-time earnings are above the SSI income limit, you may not qualify for SSI benefits, regardless of your medical condition.
• However, if you are earning less than the SSI income limit, you may still be eligible for benefits, depending on other factors like your total household income and living situation.

Can You Work Part-Time During the Application Process?

If you are in the process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits and are working part-time, the SSA will still evaluate your application, but your earnings will be a critical factor in their decision. Here’s what you should know:

• If your part-time work meets the SGA threshold, your disability application may be denied because the SSA will assume that you can still engage in substantial work.
• If your part-time work does not exceed the SGA threshold, you may still be eligible for benefits, and the SSA will focus on your medical evidence and how your disability affects your ability to work full-time.

The Trial Work Period (TWP) and Part-Time Work

The Social Security Administration has a Trial Work Period (TWP) program, which allows you to test your ability to work while still receiving SSDI benefits. The TWP allows you to work for up to 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) without losing your benefits, as long as your earnings do not exceed the SGA limit.

• During the Trial Work Period, you can earn more than the SGA limit without it affecting your SSDI benefits, as long as you are still below the TWP threshold (which in 2025 is $970 per month). After the Trial Work Period, if you continue to work and your earnings exceed the SGA limit, your SSDI benefits may stop.

Can You Work Part-Time After Being Approved for SSDI?

Once you’re approved for Social Security Disability benefits, you can work part-time without automatically losing your benefits, but there are important rules to follow:

• You may work part-time, but your earnings cannot exceed the SGA limit. If you start earning above the limit, your disability benefits may be reviewed, and you could lose your eligibility for SSDI benefits.
• If you continue to work while receiving SSDI, you’ll also be subject to the Trial Work Period and the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) tests. Once your Trial Work Period is exhausted, the SSA will evaluate whether your part-time work is consistent with your disability and if it is still preventing you from engaging in substantial work.