Will work affect my SSDI benefits?
Estimate whether your earnings are at risk of exceeding the Substantial Gainful Activity limit, accounting for work-related deductions.
2026 limit: $1,690 non-blind · $2,830 blind. Social Security Administration, Red Book · last verified 26 July 2026.
1. Earnings
2. Deductions (Optional)
Calculations happen in your browser. No data is stored.
Why this matters
If you earn over the 'Substantial Gainful Activity' (SGA) limit, the SSA may stop your disability payments. However, you can deduct certain expenses (IRWE) and subsidies to lower your 'Countable Income' and stay eligible.
Figures based on SSA Publication No. 05-10003 (2026). This tool is for estimation only.
Understanding the SGA limit and work incentives
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and return to work, your benefits don't stop immediately just because you earn above the monthly SGA limit. The SSA offers work incentives like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Subsidies that reduce your "countable income." This tool helps you understand whether you may be at risk, but it is not a substitute for official guidance. Contact your local SSA office or work incentive planner for a definitive answer about your benefits.
Common questions
How much can I earn while receiving SSDI?
In 2026 the substantial gainful activity limit is $1,690 a month if you are not blind, and $2,830 a month if you are blind, according to the Social Security Administration Red Book. Earning above the limit on a sustained basis can end your benefits.
What is the trial work period?
A period during which you can test working without losing benefits at all. Any month you earn above the trial work threshold counts as one of nine trial months within a rolling 60-month window, and during those months you receive your full benefit no matter how much you earn.
What happens after the nine trial months?
You enter a 36-month extended period of eligibility. During it, your benefit is paid for any month your countable earnings fall below the substantial gainful activity limit and withheld for months you go above it, without needing a new application.
Do these limits apply to SSI as well?
No. Supplemental Security Income uses a different calculation that reduces your payment gradually as earnings rise, rather than the cliff created by the SGA limit. If you receive both, both sets of rules apply to their own payment.
Can any of my earnings be discounted?
Yes. Impairment-related work expenses, subsidised wages where you produce less than the pay reflects, and certain self-employment costs can be deducted before your earnings are compared with the limit. This is the most commonly missed part of the rule.
What was the limit in previous years?
Prior-year limits still matter if you are dealing with an overpayment notice about past work. The calculator lets you select an earlier year so you can check the figure that applied at the time, rather than assuming this year's limit.