Working?

Substantial Gainful Activity

To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in the substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person's disability. The Social Security Act specifies a higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals; Federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals. Both SGA amounts generally change with changes in the national average wage index.

Trial Work Period

After a person becomes eligible for disability benefits, the person may attempt to return to the work force. As an incentive, we provide a trial work period in which a beneficiary may have earnings and still collect benefits.

During a trial work period, a beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may test his or her ability to work and still be considered disabled. Social Security does not consider services performed during the trial work period as showing that the disability has ended until services have been performed in at least 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a rolling 60-month period. In 2019, any month in which earnings exceed $880 is considered a month of services for an individual's trial work period. In 2023, this monthly amount will increase to $1050.

SSI - Understanding Work

Earnings trigger a work trial period

Earned Income Exclusion for SSI

Social Security does not count the first $65 of earned income plus one–half of the amount over $65. Therefore, we reduce your SSI benefit only $1 for every $2 you earn over $65.

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Important to access “SSI” before age 21