If you are thinking about filing a claim for Social Security Disability benefits, you should understand how much you can earn while still keeping your eligibility for benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has set specific rules regarding income limits, and exceeding these limits could affect your benefits.
At The GCC Law Firm, our disability law attorneys have extensive experience helping individuals steer through these complex issues, ensuring that they either get or keep the disability benefits they deserve. We are here to provide you with clear, reliable information on how much you can make while receiving disability benefits and how your benefits are calculated.
How is the Amount of My Social Security Disability Payment Determined?
Your monthly SSDI or SSI benefit amount is determined by several factors. For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the benefit amount is based on your past work history and how much you have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes. Social Security calculates your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), which is based on your highest-earning 35 years, adjusted for inflation. Your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) is then determined using a formula that converts your AIME into a benefit amount.
In 2025, the average SSDI payment is about $1,500 per month, though this amount varies depending on your work history. The maximum SSDI benefit in 2025 is $3,627, which is typically only available to individuals who had high earnings over many years.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), on the other hand, is a needs-based program designed to assist individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history. The maximum SSI benefit for 2025 is $914 per month for an individual and $1,371 per month for a couple. SSI benefits may be adjusted based on living arrangements, such as whether you live alone or with someone else.
At The GCC Law Firm, we help clients understand how their work history impacts their SSDI benefits or guide them through the process of securing the maximum SSI payment. Our experience ensures that we can assist you in navigating any potential challenges in securing the benefits you are entitled to.
How Much Can I Earn While Receiving SSDI or SSI?
Social Security has strict rules on how much you can earn while still receiving SSDI or SSI benefits. If you earn too much, your benefits may be reduced or terminated entirely. Understanding these rules is key to balancing your income and maintaining your eligibility for benefits.
SSDI Earnings Limits: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
For SSDI, the key limit is called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2025, if you earn more than $1,470 per month, Social Security may determine that you are no longer eligible for SSDI benefits because it suggests that you are capable of performing substantial work. However, this threshold is not as rigid as it seems, and there are provisions that allow you to test your ability to work without immediately losing your benefits.
The Trial Work Period (TWP) allows you to work for up to nine months while continuing to receive full SSDI benefits, regardless of how much you earn. These nine months do not need to be consecutive; they can be spread over as long as five years. For 2025, any month in which you earn more than $1,050 counts as a TWP month.
After completing the TWP, you enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), where you can still receive benefits depending on your monthly income. If you earn less than the SGA limit ($1,470), you will continue receiving benefits for that month.
The GCC Law Firm helps individuals understand these rules and advocates for their rights, particularly during the Trial Work Period and the Extended Period of Eligibility, to ensure they don’t lose benefits while testing their ability to return to work.
SSI Earnings Limits
For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the income rules are a very different. The SSA considers both earned and unearned income when determining eligibility. For 2025, the SSI income limit is $1,600 per month. If you earn more than this amount, your SSI benefits will be reduced or stopped.
Social Security will exclude the first $20 of income you receive in a month, meaning the first $20 of earned income is not counted. After that, Social Security generally counts $1 for every $2 you earn above the $20 exclusion. For example, if you earn $100, Social Security will subtract $20 from your earnings, leaving $80, which is then divided by 2. So, $40 of that $80 will count against your SSI eligibility, reducing your benefits by $40.
While these income rules can be confusing, The GCC Law Firm’s extensive experience in handling disability cases ensures that we can help you understand how your earnings will affect your SSI benefits and help you avoid losing them.
Does Social Security Count All Types of Income Against the SGA Limit?
Not all income counts toward the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. Certain types of income are excluded by Social Security, meaning they won’t count against your ability to maintain benefits. Understanding what counts and what does not count is crucial in protecting your benefits.
Types of Excluded Income
- Unearned Income: This includes income such as gifts, interest, or investments. Generally, this type of income does not count toward your SGA limit, but it can affect your SSI benefits, as the SSA counts unearned income when determining your eligibility.
- In-Kind Income: This refers to goods or services you receive instead of money, such as free rent. While in-kind income does not count as earned income for SSDI purposes, it can reduce your SSI benefits.
- Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): If you pay for expenses related to your disability (for example, if you pay for medical equipment or personal care assistance), those costs can be deducted from your income when determining if you are exceeding the SGA limit. This is particulary important for individuals who need extra help to work due to their disability.
- Blindness Exclusion: If you are blind, Social Security offers a higher SGA limit. For 2025, the SGA limit for blind individuals is $2,700 per month. This allows individuals who are blind to earn more without losing their benefits.
Understanding which types of income are excluded from the SGA limit can make a significant difference in your ability to keep your SSDI or SSI benefits. At The GCC Law Firm, we help clients identify and utilize these exclusions effectively to maximize their benefits.
What Happens if I Exceed the Income Limit?
Exceeding the income limit for SSDI or SSI can result in the loss of benefits, but there are different outcomes depending on the type of benefit you’re receiving.
- SSDI: If you exceed the SGA limit, Social Security may suspend your SSDI benefits for that month. However, if your income drops below the SGA limit, you can resume receiving benefits. The Trial Work Period and the Extended Period of Eligibility offer some flexibility, ensuring that you don’t lose benefits immediately if you exceed the limit temporarily.
- SSI: If you exceed the income limit for SSI, your benefits may be reduced or completely discontinued, depending on the amount you earn. However, if your income drops below the limit, your benefits can be reinstated.
The GCC Law Firm helps clients who have exceeded the income limit by guiding them through the appeals process or by assisting with the reinstatement of benefits. Our comprehensive knowledge of Social Security’s rules allows us to provide clear, actionable advice to protect your benefits.