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 evaluate whether someone is disabled or not. This includes any type of physical or mental work that an individual does for “pay or profit.” The SSA looks at various measures of SGA, such as wages, hours worked, and the impact or severity of an individual’s impairment on their ability to work. In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in Washington, an individual must have an impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year and be unable to engage in SGA. This means that applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are unable to work because of their disability, even if it’s at a lower level than the SGA. The SSA considers several factors when it determines if an individual meets the SGA definition. These include their age, education level, job history, physical and mental abilities, and the impact of any humanitarian impairments. The SSA also takes into account any gainful work activity, meaning any activity that is likely to result in a job. The work must be both substantial and gainful in order for the SSA to consider it in their SGA evaluation. In summary, substantial gainful activity (SGA) is a term used by the Social Security Administration to evaluate whether someone is disabled or not. To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in Washington, an individual must have an impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year and be unable to engage in SGA. The SSA considers several factors when it determines if an individual meets the SGA definition, including their age, education level, job history, and physical and mental abilities.

What is “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) and how does it relate to Social Security Disability?

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