Are You Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?
Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

Are you eligible for Social Security Disability benefits? Maybe. It depends largely on the following questions:  Are you unable to work? Or are you still working? The answers to these follow-up questions play an important part in determining your eligibility. As does this one key phrase: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).

For decades I have been helping Social Security Disability applicants navigate the Social Security Disability process  and understand eligibility requirements for disability benefits. Below, I will provide an overview of how the Social Security Administration (SSA) generally views your current work experience when you are applying for benefits.

Are You Unable to Work?

In general, Social Security Disability benefits are designed for people who are disabled and cannot work for more than 12 continuous months. The following video explains in more detail the process that the SSA goes through as part of determining if you are considered disabled and eligible for disability benefits.

Are You Still Working? The Role of “SGA” in Determining if You Are Eligible for Disability Benefits

If you are injured but still working, you may still be eligible for Disability benefits. This is where the term Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) comes into play.

SGA is the monthly earnings threshold amount used by the Social Security Administration to determine if an individual’s work activity and earnings are significant enough to disqualify them from receiving SSD benefits.

In plain English, this means that if you are injured and earn over a certain amount of money, you CANNOT get Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. Specifically, as of 2026:

• If you work and make over $1,690 per month, you are not eligible for SSD.

OR

• If you are blind, work, and make over $2,830 per month, you are not eligible for SSD.

However, if your disability prevents you from making these SGA amounts, it may be time to apply for Social Security Disability benefits.

Additional Advice about Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits

Don’t apply too early!

If you apply for SSD while you are earning too much (engaged in substantial gainful activity above the limits stated above), you will receive an SGA denial. In other words, do not apply while working above SGA levels, as those earnings communicate that you are not disabled under SSA law and can still work. The SSA wait times for SSD claims processing are generally at an all time high throughout the country, so applying when you are making more than the SGA limits adds unnecessary time to the process.

Every case is unique. If you need a recommendation on whether it’s time to apply for benefits, my firm will evaluate your case for free! In addition to our home base across North Carolina, we also take cases along the border in South Carolina and along the border in Virginia.

When you’re hurt and need benefits, it’s easy to feel like an underdog facing endless government red tape.

You don’t have to walk this path alone. Call us today at 1-866-900-7078 to share your story.

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