What is Substantial Gainful Activity?

When you are applying for Social Security Disability, there are a number of different things that you need to prove in order to be able to get benefits. A Los Angeles disability attorney can help you to understand the requirements so you can maximize the chances you'll get your claim approved and get the income you need.

One of the things that you will need to show to get benefits is that you are not engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA). Because being engaged in SGA can disqualify you from getting an application for Social Security Disability approved, you need to understand exactly what substantial gainful activity means. 

​What is Substantial Gainful Activity?

​Substantial gainful activity is defined as working and earning more than a set maximum amount of money per month. As of 2018, you are considered to be engaged in substantial gainful activity if you are earning more than $1,180 if you are not blind. If you are blind, then you are considered to be engaged in substantial gainful activity if you are earning more than $1,970.

Social Security benefits are supposed to be for people who are truly too impaired or sick to work. If you're earning more than this threshold amount, you are not considered to be too sick to work due to your substantial gainful activity. This limitation means it is often is necessary for you to cut back on work or quit work altogether while applying for disability benefits. Of course, since it can take a long time to get your benefits claim approved, this can put you in difficult situation.

A Los Angeles disability benefits attorney can advise you on your best course of action and help you to determine how to approach the process of getting benefits. Give us a call today to learn more.