2026 SGA Limits For SSDI And SSI What Counts
Working while you’re applying for disability, or while you’re already receiving benefits, can feel like walking a tightrope. Earn too much, or report it the wrong way, and Social Security may say you’re no longer disabled. Earn less, and you might still face a confusing mix of rules.
The 2026 SGA limits are the key starting point. SGA stands for Substantial Gainful Activity, and it’s one of the first tests Social Security uses in disability cases. In plain terms, SGA is the work level Social Security may treat as proof you can work full-time.
Below is what the 2026 numbers are, what income Social Security counts, and the most common traps that lead to denials, cessations, and overpayments.
The 2026 SGA limits (and why SSDI and SSI can behave differently)
Social Security sets SGA as a monthly earnings amount. If you earn over that amount, Social Security can deny a new claim at Step 1, or later decide you’re no longer eligible because you’re working at a level they see as substantial and gainful.
For 2026, Social Security lists the new thresholds in its own publications, including SSA’s “What’s New in 2026” Red Book update and the Substantial Gainful Activity page.
Here’s a quick snapshot.
| Category | 2026 SGA monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Non-blind disability | $1,690 |
| Statutory blindness (Title II Social Security benefits) | $2,830 |
Two important clarifiers help avoid costly mistakes:
First, SGA is usually based on gross earnings (before taxes and most deductions). Social Security may allow certain deductions, but you should not assume your take-home pay controls the analysis.
Second, the higher “blind SGA” amount has limits. Social Security’s own guidance explains that the statutory blind SGA amount applies to Social Security benefits, but does not apply to SSI. That means a blind SSI claimant can still run into the standard SGA screen during the disability decision process, and after approval, SSI has its own income-counting rules that reduce payments.
If you’re trying to work while on benefits, it also helps to understand the separate work incentive rules that apply to SSDI. A deeper discussion appears in Avard Law’s page on working while collecting SSDI, including topics like unsuccessful work attempts and employer subsidies.
Takeaway: SGA is not a “safe paycheck number.” It’s a decision tool Social Security uses to judge work activity, and the program you receive (SSDI vs SSI) changes how the rules hit your case.
What Social Security counts as SGA income (and what can lower it)
SGA is not just about money. Social Security looks at work activity and earnings together. Still, earnings are the most common problem because they’re easy to measure and easy to misunderstand.
Wages from a job: what usually counts
For employees, Social Security generally starts with gross wages in a month. Overtime, bonuses, and commissions can count in the month you earn them. If your pay bounces around, one strong month can trigger questions, even if later months drop.
Also, Social Security may treat certain “help at work” as a clue that your earnings don’t reflect your true work value. That’s where subsidies and special conditions come in.
In many cases, your goal is not to hide work. Your goal is to document the real situation so Social Security counts your earnings correctly.
Here are common items that may reduce what Social Security counts toward SGA:
- Impairment-related work expenses (IRWEs): Out-of-pocket costs you need because of your condition to work (for example, certain medical devices, medications, or specialized transportation). Social Security may subtract allowable IRWEs when analyzing SGA.
- Employer subsidy or special conditions: If your employer pays you more than the value of your work because you need extra supervision, reduced productivity standards, extra breaks, or job coaching, Social Security can sometimes subtract the subsidy value.
- Sheltered or “made work”: Work set up mainly to support you, often with significant accommodations.
- Unsuccessful work attempt (UWA): A short work period that ends, or drops below SGA, because your condition forces you to stop or reduce work.
The proof matters. Social Security often needs employer statements, pay records, and detailed explanations of accommodations. Without that, they may count every dollar and assume your job is typical.
Self-employment: Social Security looks beyond net profit
Self-employment gets tricky fast. Social Security does not always rely on net earnings alone. They can look at the value of your work activity to the business. For example, if you work many hours, manage others, or provide key services, Social Security can still find SGA even when profits look modest.
That’s why self-employed claimants should track hours, duties, and any help received from family or others. Those details often decide whether Social Security sees the work as substantial.
If you want the official framework Social Security uses to decide who qualifies as disabled, start with SSA’s disability eligibility overview. It explains the basic rules, including why work activity can stop a claim before Social Security even reviews medical evidence.
SSI vs SSDI: how working affects payments after approval
Many people hear “SGA” and assume it works the same way forever. It doesn’t.
SSDI (Title II) and SGA: SSDI is tied to work credits and insured status. After approval, SSDI has work incentives that can let you test work. Social Security also uses SGA to decide when benefits can stop after certain work incentive stages. For 2026, the Trial Work Period (TWP) month amount is listed as $1,210 in the Red Book update, which is separate from SGA.
SSI (Title XVI) and monthly payments: SSI is needs-based. After you’re approved, SSI usually does not stop just because you worked “too hard.” Instead, SSI payments often drop because Social Security counts earned income under SSI’s formulas and exclusions. In other words, even if your earnings stay under SGA, your SSI check can still shrink, sometimes to zero.
A simple example shows the difference:
If you receive SSI and take a part-time job, your check may decrease even with low wages. Meanwhile, if you receive SSDI, you might keep the same check during certain work incentive phases, but you still have to follow the reporting rules carefully.
No matter which benefit you receive, reporting is the pressure valve. Late reporting can cause overpayments that Social Security will try to collect back.
If you’ve already won your case, keep an eye on what comes next, including reviews and benefit coordination. Avard Law’s guide on steps after a fully favorable SSD decision is a helpful checklist for protecting benefits after approval.
Gotcha: Many overpayments start with a good-faith return to work, followed by missed or unclear reporting. Treat reporting like it’s part of the job.
Conclusion
The 2026 SGA limits ($1,690 for non-blind disability, and $2,830 for statutory blindness in Title II cases) can decide whether Social Security even considers your medical evidence. Just as important, what counts toward SGA is not always your take-home pay, and certain deductions and subsidies can change the result.
If you’re in Florida and you’re unsure how your wages, self-employment, or accommodations will be treated, get advice before a work attempt turns into a denial or an overpayment. A little planning can protect your benefits and your long-term case strength. For more practical answers, Avard Law’s Social Security Disability FAQs cover common timing and process questions that come up at every stage.