Substantial Gainful Activity

Substantial Gainful Activity, referred to as SGA, is a threshold set by the Social Security Administration each year that acts as a fundamental requirement for an individual to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). In 2025, monthly earnings in excess of $1,620 are considered SGA ($2,700 if blind); if an individual is earning above this in net earnings, they are deemed technically ineligible for SSDI benefits.

SGA is defined as work that is both substantial and gainful. Substantial work activity is work that involves doing significant physical or mental activities. Gainful work activity is work that is done for pay or profit, whether or not a profit is realized. If an individual engages in SGA, he or she is not disabled for purposes of receiving Social Security disability benefits regardless of how severe his or her impairments are.

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