Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) and Your Disability Benefits

The purpose behind Social Security disability benefits is to provide individuals who are disabled beyond the ability to work with income to provide for their needs. When you apply for Social Security disability benefits the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews your ability to perform what is known as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).

What is Substantial Gainful Activity?

The SSA classifies Substantial Gainful Activity in two parts. For activity to be considered "substantial" it must be a significant physical or mental activity or a combination of both. This does not mean that the work must be performed on a full-time basis, as some forms of SGA can be part-time and still qualify.

The "gainful" aspect of Substantial Gainful Activity is when the work is for pay or profit, is generally performed for pay (even if you are not paid), or is intended for profit whether or not a profit is generated. While a paid activity is obviously considered gainful there may be some confusion as to whether a non-paid activity is considered Substantial Gainful Activity. A Jacksonville disability lawyer can help you answer that question.

How Substantial Gainful Activity is Evaluated

Your income is generally the way the SSA can determine whether or not the activity counts as substantially gainful. The earnings guidelines developed by the SSA help determine eligibility by creating a threshold you are allowed to earn up to before your benefits are in jeopardy. The amounts differ for blind versus non-blind disability and for 2011 they are currently $1,640 for blind and $1,000 for non-blind individuals.

If you are disabled and collecting Social Security disability benefits your benefits may be reduced or suspended if your monthly earnings rise above the threshold for your disability type. The earnings guidelines apply only for SSDI benefits for blind claimants, but apply to both SSDI and SSI benefits for all other disabled claimants.

The allowable amount of earnings is determined annually by a formula that looks at the average wage index and in some years includes a cost of living adjustment. The current amounts do not reflect a cost of living adjustment and therefore are the same as the 2010 threshold. For answers to questions regarding your income and its effect on your Social Security disability benefits, consult with a Jacksonville disability lawyer.

Substantial Gainful Activity Affects Social Security Disability Benefits

When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits your Substantial Gainful Activity is used to determine your initial Social Security disability benefits eligibility. SGA is also used as a factor to decide if your disability benefits continue after a Trial Work Period.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits only use Substantial Gainful Activity as a factor to determine your initial eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. For blind claimants applying for SSI, Substantial Gainful Activity is not used as a factor for determining initial eligibility. Once you are receiving your SSI benefits, the standards for evaluation change and can be best explained by an experienced Jacksonville disability lawyer.

Contacting a Jacksonville Social Security Disability Lawyer

The Social Security attorneys at Sullivan & Hepler understand that you have questions regarding your Jacksonville Social Security disability claim. We have your answers. Before you hire an attorney or file your claim, order this free consumer guide Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know for more information about how to build a strong claim. Contact us today at 904-384-8808 or 1-800-295-4193.