2026 Updates to Social Security Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limits

How Working Could Affect Your Benefits

If you’re applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), one of the most important rules to understand is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits and how it can impact your eligibility for benefits.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses SGA to determine whether an individual’s work activity and earnings indicate they are capable of maintaining substantial employment. Because SGA limits change each year, understanding the current thresholds can help you avoid costly mistakes that could affect your eligibility for benefits.

Below, we explain what SGA is, the 2026 income limits, and what you should know if you’re working while pursuing disability benefits.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Definition

Substantial Gainful Activity refers to a level of work and earnings that are deemed substantial and gainful by the SSA and demonstrate an ability to perform meaningful employment. When reviewing disability claims, the SSA generally assumes that individuals earning more than a certain monthly amount can engage in substantial work activity and may not meet the definition of disability under Social Security rules.

SGA is primarily based on monthly earnings, although the SSA may also consider the nature of the work being performed and whether special circumstances apply.

The SSA establishes two separate SGA limits each year:

• One for individuals with disabilities other than blindness; and
• One for individuals who are statutorily blind.

Because individuals who are blind often face unique employment barriers, the earnings threshold for blind applicants is higher.

What Counts as Substantial Gainful Activity?

Not every job or source of income automatically qualifies as SGA.

In general, work is considered:

• Substantial if it involves significant physical or mental activities; and
• Gainful if it is performed for pay or profit, or is the type of work usually done for pay.

When evaluating whether someone is engaging in SGA, the SSA may consider factors such as:

• Monthly earnings;
• The type of work performed;
• The number of hours worked;
• Whether the employment is competitive;
• Whether the work is being subsidized by a compassionate employer willing to tolerate lower levels of productivity; and
• Whether impairment-related work expenses reduce the actual value of the earnings.

Certain types of income do not count toward SGA. For example, the SSA generally excludes:

• Interest earned from bank accounts;
• Rental income;
• Stock dividends;
• Retirement benefits; and
• Veterans Affairs disability benefits.

How Does the SSA Calculate SGA Limits?

The SSA adjusts SGA limits using a formula tied to the National Average Wage Index, which tracks changes in wages across the country.

For Individuals Who Are Statutorily Blind

The SSA calculates the SGA amount for blind individuals by multiplying a base SGA amount by the ratio of the national average wage indexes for two different benchmark years. The resulting amount is rounded to the nearest $10 to establish the official monthly SGA limit.

For Individuals Who Are Not Blind

A similar formula is used for non-blind individuals with disabilities, although it relies on different benchmark years. The resulting amount is rounded to the nearest $10 to establish the official monthly SGA limit. Because these calculations are tied to national wage growth, SGA limits typically increase over time.

What Are the SGA Limits for 2026?

The Social Security Administration established the 2026 SGA limits as:

• $1,690 per month for individuals with disabilities other than blindness; and
• $2,830 per month for individuals who are statutorily blind.

If your countable earnings exceed these amounts, the SSA may determine that you are engaging in substantial gainful activity and therefore do not qualify for disability benefits.

However, the calculation and determination of eligibility is not always straightforward. Certain deductions, such as impairment-related work expenses, may reduce the earnings the SSA counts toward the SGA limit. Every situation is unique, which is why it’s important to seek guidance from a disability lawyer if you have questions about how your work activity could affect your claim.

Summary of 2020-2026 SGA Limits

These annual increases reflect changes in national wage trends and can significantly impact disability applicants and beneficiaries who are working or considering returning to work.

Have Questions About Working While Receiving Disability Benefits? We’re Here to Help.

Social Security’s rules regarding employment and disability benefits can be difficult to navigate. Even an honest mistake involving income reporting or work activity could delay your claim or jeopardize benefits you need.

At Kerr Robichaux & Carroll, our Social Security Disability attorneys understand how overwhelming the disability process can be. Whether you’re filing an initial SSDI application, appealing a denial, or trying to determine whether working could affect your eligibility, we’re here to help you understand your options and protect your rights.

Contact us today by submitting an online form or calling our office at (503) 255-9092 for a free case evaluation.