Understanding the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limit

The SSA uses a monthly earnings threshold called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine whether you’re still considered disabled. In 2025, for non-blind individuals, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month, and for blind individuals, it’s $2,590 per month (before taxes). If your monthly earnings stay under this amount, you can usually work part-time without automatically losing benefits.

Trial Work Period (TWP)

SSDI also provides a Trial Work Period, which allows you to test your ability to work without immediately ending your benefits. In 2025, any month you earn over $1,110 counts as a trial work month. You can have up to nine trial months (within a rolling 60-month period) where you earn above that amount and still receive your full SSDI payment.

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)

After your trial work period ends, you enter a 36-month extended period of eligibility. During this time, you’ll receive SSDI benefits for any month your earnings fall below the SGA limit. However, if you consistently earn above the limit, your benefits may stop after this period.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

• Reporting is required: You must inform the SSA of your work activity and income to avoid overpayments.
• Work incentives exist: SSA offers programs like Ticket to Work to help you transition back into the workforce gradually.
• State rules may differ for other benefits: If you also receive state or Medicaid assistance in Michigan, check how part-time work affects those programs.