1. Understanding the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limit

The SSA uses the concept of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to measure whether your work activity is too high to qualify for SSDI. In 2025, the SGA limit for most applicants is $1,550 per month in earned income. For blind individuals, the limit is higher.

If your monthly income from work exceeds the SGA amount, your application could be denied or your benefits may stop, unless you are in a special work trial program.

2. Earned Income vs. Unearned Income

Not all income affects SSDI benefits in the same way:

• Earned Income: Wages, self-employment earnings, bonuses, and commissions are counted toward the SGA limit.
• Unearned Income: Things like investment returns, pensions, and spousal income generally do not count toward SGA for SSDI, though they may affect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you receive both programs.

3. Trial Work Period and Extended Eligibility

SSDI recipients can test their ability to work without immediately losing benefits through the Trial Work Period. During this time, you can earn more than the SGA limit for up to nine months without losing benefits. After this period, the Extended Period of Eligibility allows you to still receive benefits in months where your earnings drop below the SGA threshold.

4. Self-Employment Rules

If you are self-employed in Florida, the SSA evaluates your work activity differently. Instead of only looking at your income, they also consider the hours you work and the value of your services. Even if you earn less than the SGA limit, working many hours in a business can still affect eligibility.

5. Special Considerations for Disability-Related Work Expenses

Certain disability-related costs, such as paying for specialized transportation or medical equipment needed for work, may be deducted from your earnings when the SSA calculates SGA. These deductions can help you stay under the income threshold while working part-time.

6. Keeping SSA Updated

If your income changes while you are receiving SSDI, you must report it to the SSA right away. Failure to report increases in income can lead to overpayments, benefit suspension, or even fraud investigations.