What is “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) and how does it relate to Social Security Disability?
Social Security Disability (SSD) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. An individual may be eligible to receive SSD benefits if they are determined to be unable to perform “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). SGA is the level of work that is expected to produce sufficient income to support an individual’s basic needs. It is also an indicator of an individual’s level of work performance and capacity to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets a strict monthly earnings limit to help determine a person’s level of SGA. In 2021, for non-blind individuals, the SGA level is set at $1,310 while it is set at $2,190 for blind individuals. If an individual’s earnings are above the SGA level, then they are generally considered to be able to work and not eligible for Social Security Disability. An individual who is working and earning the amount set by the SSA for SGA must demonstrate that their disability makes it impossible to work at that level in order to receive SSD benefits. SGA is an important factor in determining whether an individual is eligible to receive SSD benefits in Florida.
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