1. Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine if your work activity is too significant to continue receiving SSDI. In 2025, the income limits are:

• $1,620 per month if you are not legally blind
• $2,700 per month if you are legally blind

If you earn above these limits, SSA may consider you capable of working, leading to suspension or termination of benefits.

2. Trial Work Period (TWP)

SSA encourages beneficiaries to attempt returning to work through the Trial Work Period (TWP):

• You can work for nine months within a rolling 60-month period and earn any amount without losing benefits.
• In 2025, any month you earn over $1,110 counts as a TWP month.
• After nine TWP months, your earnings will be evaluated under SGA rules.

3. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)

Once your TWP ends:

• You enter a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
• During this period, you can receive SSDI benefits for any month your earnings are below the SGA limit
• If your income exceeds SGA in a month, your benefits are suspended for that month, but they can restart without a new application if your earnings drop again within the EPE window

4. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)

Certain expenses you pay for due to your disability can reduce your countable income. These include:

• Medical devices or assistive equipment
• Prescription costs
• Transportation or service animal expenses

Subtracting these from your gross earnings may help you remain under SGA limits.

5. What Happens If You Exceed SGA Outside TWP/EPE

If your earnings exceed the SGA limit after your TWP and EPE have ended, your SSDI benefits may be terminated. However, if you stop working again due to your disability within five years, you can request Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) to resume benefits without reapplying.