Understanding SSDI Income Limits

To qualify for SSDI, your earnings must stay below a certain monthly limit known as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). For 2025:

• If you're not blind, you can earn up to $1,620 per month (gross) before it affects your eligibility.
• If you're legally blind, the limit is higher — $2,700 per month (gross).

These income limits apply only to earned income, like wages or self-employment. Unearned income, such as child support, gifts, or investment income, typically does not count toward the SGA limit. If your income exceeds these limits, the SSA may consider you capable of engaging in substantial work and may suspend or terminate your benefits.

Trial Work Period and Extended Period of Eligibility

SSDI includes work incentives that allow you to test your ability to work without immediately losing your benefits.

Trial Work Period (TWP):

You can earn more than the income limit for up to 9 months during a trial work period. For 2025, any month where you earn more than $1,160 counts toward your TWP. These months don’t have to be consecutive.

Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE):

After the TWP ends, you enter a 36-month period where your benefits can restart in any month you earn below the SGA limit. If your income is below the limit in any of those months, your benefits can resume without filing a new application.

What Types of Income Are Excluded?

Not all earnings count toward the SGA limit. You may be able to reduce your countable income with:

• Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs): These include costs for items or services you need to work due to your disability—like mobility devices or personal care assistants.
• Unearned Income: SSDI does not count money from investments, pensions, or certain benefit programs toward the SGA limit.
• Trial Work Earnings: During the TWP, even if your income is over the limit, your benefits are not affected.