1. What Is SGA?

• Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) refers to work activity that involves significant physical or mental effort and generates income above a designated monthly amount.
• If your income exceeds the SGA limit—and it’s not covered under work-incentive programs—SSA may consider you no longer disabled.

2. SGA Limits for 2025

The SGA thresholds are set nationally, including in South Carolina:

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

Earnings above these amounts could disqualify you from SSDI unless you’re in a protected work period.

3. What Counts as Income

Your gross monthly earnings count toward SGA, including:

• Wages before taxes
• Net income from self-employment
• Bonuses, commissions, tips or certain in-kind payments

However, SSA allows deduction of Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)—costs you incur because of your disability to perform work. Deducting IRWEs may lower your countable income.

4. Work Incentive Rules That Protect Benefits

South Carolina SSDI recipients have access to SSA work-incentive programs:

• Trial Work Period (TWP):
• Lets you work and earn any amount for nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month period
• In 2025, a month in which you earn over $1,110 counts toward your TWP
• You continue receiving SSDI during the TWP, no matter how much you earn
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE):
• After TWP ends, you enter a 36‑month EPE
• SSDI benefits continue in any month your gross earnings remain below the SGA limit
• If earnings exceed SGA in a month, benefits are suspended but will resume automatically when earnings fall back below the threshold within the 36-month window
  
  

5. What If You Exceed SGA After TWP and EPE

If you consistently earn above the SGA limit after completing TWP and EPE:

• SSA may suspend or permanently terminate your benefits
• However, within five years of benefit termination, you may qualify for Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) if your disability worsens and you can no longer work. EXR allows benefits to restart without a new application.