1. Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

• SGA refers to work that involves substantial physical or mental duties and pays above a set amount.
• If your work activity exceeds the SGA limit, SSA may determine you are capable of working, which can disqualify you from SSDI.

2. SGA Limits for 2025

These are the current (2025) SGA thresholds, applicable uniformly across Missouri and the entire U.S.:

• $1,620 per month for individuals who are not legally blind
• $2,700 per month for those who are legally blind

If your gross earnings exceed those amounts outside of protected work periods, SSA may consider that you are no longer disabled under their rules.

3. What Counts Toward SGA

Income considered in your monthly total includes:

• Wages before taxes
• Net earnings from self-employment
• Commissions, tips, or bonuses

However, you may offset countable earnings through Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)—expenses you incur due to your disability that allow you to work.

4. Work Incentives That Protect Benefits

SSA offers programs to support a return to work without immediately ending SSDI:

• Trial Work Period (TWP):
• You can work for nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month period
• In 2025, any month with earnings over $1,110 counts as a TWP month
• During TWP, SSDI benefits continue regardless of income
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE):
• Begins right after your TWP concludes
• Lasts 36 months, during which you still receive benefits in any month your earnings remain below the SGA limit
• If earnings exceed SGA in a month, benefits are suspended but can restart automatically when earnings drop again

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

• Exceeding SGA after the EPE may lead to benefit suspension or termination
• If your disability worsens later, you can apply for Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) within five years to resume benefits without a new claim