Substantial Gainful Activity or SGA is an extremely important number to be aware of when analyzing a Social Security Disability claim. This number, which changes nearly every year based on the National Average Wage Index, serves as a limit in two important pieces of disability analysis. Additionally, it is important to note that blind individuals have favorable treatment when considering SGA limits, and their limit is considerably higher.
Is a Claimant Working (engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity)?
Being unable to engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) is required when proving disability. As such, an individual must be earning less than the SGA limits in the chart below. Take-home pay, however, is not the actual number. The number to be analyzed is gross pay (before tax/benefit/retirement deductions) minus any impairment related work expenses. If that number is below the SGA limit, the Claimant is considered to not be engaged in SGA, and a claim for disability benefits can proceed. If gross pay is above SGA, a disability claim for benefits that includes such a month is unlikely to succeed unless it can be considered an Unsuccessful Work Attempt. Consistently staying below SGA is the most advisable way to avoid having employment disturb a claim for disability benefits. It should be noted that for self-employed individuals, the analysis is conducted a bit differently.
Should past work be considered relevant?
Another important use of the Substantial Gainful Activity limits is when considering a Claimant’s Past Relevant Work (PRW). According to POMS DI 25005.015, for a Claimant’s work to be considered PRW, that work must have been performed within the relevant period (generally 15 years prior to the adjudication), lasted long enough for the Claimant to learn the work (SVP analysis from the DOT code is required here), and the work must have been SGA, meaning that the monthly earnings from the work must have exceeded the limits below. If any of these tests are not met, then the job should not be considered Past Relevant Work in Step 4 of the 5-Step process. This is a very important analysis for skilled work in particular due to the fact that fewer skills obtained from work would generally be regarded as reducing vocational adaptibility, which is a positive when arguing on behalf of a disabled Claimant.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limits
| Year | Non-blind SGA | Blind SGA |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $1,310 | $2,190 |
| 2020 | $1,260 | $2,110 |
| 2019 | $1,220 | $2,040 |
| 2018 | $1,180 | $1,970 |
| 2017 | $1,170 | $1,950 |
| 2016 | $1,130 | $1,820 |
| 2015 | $1,090 | $1,820 |
| 2014 | $1,070 | $1,800 |
| 2013 | $1,040 | $1,740 |
| 2012 | $1,010 | $1,690 |
| 2011 | $1,000 | $1,640 |
| 2010 | $1,000 | $1,640 |
| 2009 | $980 | $1,640 |
| 2008 | $940 | $1,570 |
| 2007 | $900 | $1,500 |
| 2006 | $860 | $1,450 |
| 2005 | $830 | $1,380 |
| 2004 | $810 | $1,350 |
| 2003 | $800 | $1,330 |
| 2002 | $780 | $1,300 |
| 2001 | $740 | $1,240 |
| 2000 | $700 | $1,170 |
| 1999 (July-Dec) | $700 | $1,110 |
| 1999 (Jan-June) | $500 | $1,110 |
| 1998 | $500 | $1,050 |
| 1997 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 1996 | $500 | $960 |
| 1995 | $500 | $940 |
| 1994 | $500 | $930 |
| 1993 | $500 | $880 |
| 1992 | $500 | $850 |
| 1991 | $500 | $810 |
| 1990 | $500 | $780 |
| 1989 | $300 | $740 |
| 1988 | $300 | $700 |
| 1987 | $300 | $680 |
| 1986 | $300 | $650 |
| 1985 | $300 | $610 |
| 1984 | $300 | $580 |
| 1983 | $300 | $550 |
| 1982 | $300 | $500 |
| 1981 | $300 | $459 |
| 1980 | $300 | $417 |
| 1979 | $280 | $375 |
| 1978 | $260 | $334 |
| 1977 | $240 | $240 |
| 1976 | $230 | $230 |
| 1975 | $200 | $200 |