Substantial Gainful Activity for 2019

Posted January 14, 2019 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

To be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). A person who is working and earning more than a certain monthly amount is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person’s disability. The Social Security Act specifies a higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals, whereas federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals. Both SGA amounts generally change every year with the cost of living adjustment (COLA).

The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2019 is $2040. For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2019 is $1220.

Remember that SGA relates only to the money you earn from working. Passive income, such income from investments or retirement funds, unemployment income, alimony, or child support are not considered SGA. However, passive income may affect your eligibility for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

If you or someone you know are unable to work due to a medical condition, please contact us for a free evaluation of your claim!

See:

https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/sga.html (SGA amounts by year)

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-1572.htm (definition of SGA)

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-1574.htm (more on SGA)

By: Joyce Trudeau of Premier Disability Services, LLC®