Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to individuals who can’t work because of a physical or mental disability. However, not all disabled people are eligible for SSDI benefits. Only those who have paid taxes into the Social Security system over a minimum number of years can receive benefits through the SSDI program. 
A disabled person who is either currently receiving SSDI benefits or applying for them is prohibited from earning more than an annually adjusted amount of money through work. This is generally referred to as the SSDI earned income cap.
For example, if you are disabled but can still perform a “substantial gainful activity” and earn money, the Social Security Administration will deem you ineligible for SSDI benefits.
Substantial gainful activity involves significant physical or mental activities. Work can be considered “substantial” even if performed on a part-time basis. It also includes any work that pays you above a certain monthly dollar amount threshold.
Key Aspects Of SGA Include:
- Significant Activities: These are activities that require considerable physical or mental effort.
- Part-time Basis: Work does not need to be full-time to be considered substantial. Part-time work may still qualify as SGA.
- Earnings Threshold: There is a specific monthly earning amount that, if exceeded, deems work as SGA. This amount is adjusted periodically.
If you’re wondering, “What is the maximum amount I can earn on SSDI?,” the answer is relatively simple to determine. The Social Security Administration publishes this information on its website. For disabled people who are not vision impaired, the monthly income cap for SSDI recipients in 2022 is $1,350. By contrast, the monthly income cap for blind people who receive SSDI benefits is $2,260.
An important thing to remember when discussing the SSDI income cap is that it doesn’t apply to unearned income. Unearned income is income that is not acquired through work. Unearned income includes investments, dividends, rent from property you don’t actively manage, a spouse’s income, and gifts from relatives or friends.
Contact Michael Armstrong Law For A Compassionate And Diligent SSDI Attorney
Applying for SSDI benefits can be confusing and difficult to navigate without competent legal advice and counsel. Michael Armstrong Law is one of the leading SSDI law firms in Albuquerque. We have successfully represented thousands of SSDI claimants at all stages of the appeals process.
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