What is “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) and how does it relate to Social Security Disability?
Substantial gainful activity (SGA) is a term used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine eligibility for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. SGA refers to the amount of money someone can earn through their work while still being considered disabled. In California, the SGA is determined by the SSA and is generally calculated on a month-to-month basis. The SSA sets the SGA based on the type of work an individual does. In California, the current SGA for non-blind individuals is $1,310 per month and $2,190 per month for blind individuals. If an individual earns more than the SGA amount set by the SSA, they are not considered disabled and are not eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. The SGA is an important factor for those applying for Social Security Disability benefits. Individuals who earn an income above the SGA limits are not considered eligible for SSD benefits and will not be approved. However, individuals who do earn below the SGA limits may be eligible for disability benefits. It is important for an individual to understand the SGA regulations and ensure their earnings do not exceed the set limits. Ultimately, SGA is an important part of the Social Security Disability process and is used to determine whether an individual is eligible for SSD. To determine eligibility, applicants must provide evidence of their current income and be able to prove they are not earning more than the set SGA amount.
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