Many SSDI recipients wonder: "Can I work without losing my benefits?" The answer is yes—but with strict limits. Here's what you need to know for 2025:
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limits
- Non-Blind Individuals: **1,550/month∗∗(upfrom1,550/month∗∗(upfrom1,470 in 2024).
- Blind Individuals: $2,590/month.
Earning above these thresholds may disqualify you.
Trial Work Period (TWP)
- 9 months to test your ability to work while keeping full benefits.
- 2025 TWP Threshold: $1,050/month (counts even if you're self-employed).
Tips to Stay Compliant
- Report income to the SSA promptly.
- Document work-related expenses (e.g., disability accommodations).
SSDI encourages self-sufficiency—just stay within SGA limits to avoid penalties.
SGA Limits
In 2025, the monthly Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,620 for individuals who are not blind and $2,700 for individuals who are blind, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).If a person's earnings average more than these amounts, they are generally considered to be performing SGA and may not be eligible for disability benefits.The SGA limits are adjusted annually to account for inflation.
Key details:
- Non-blind individuals:$1,620 per month.
- Blind individuals:$2,700 per month.
- Trial Work Period (TWP) limit:$1,160 per month.
- COLA increase:Social Security benefits, including SSI and SSDI, will see a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2025, reports Viner Disability Law.
- SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR):$967 per month for an eligible individual and $1,450 per month for an eligible couple.
- Student Earned-Income Exclusion (SEIE):$9,460 per year.
For more details and one-on-one guidance regarding your ssdi benefits, you can consult our expert disability attorneys at the Law Office of Irene Ruzin