1. Understanding Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

• SGA refers to work activity that both requires significant mental or physical effort and generates income above a certain level.
• If your earnings exceed the SGA limit, the Social Security Administration may determine that you are able to engage in substantial work, potentially making you ineligible for SSDI.

2. SGA Limits for 2025

For 2025, the monthly SGA income limits are:

• $1,620 per month for individuals who are not blind
• $2,700 per month for individuals who are legally blind

These thresholds apply uniformly across all states, including Oklahoma.

3. Types of Income Counted Toward SGA

Your gross earnings count toward the SGA limit, including:

• Wages from a job before taxes and deductions
• Net income from self-employment
• Commissions, tips, or bonuses

Some deductions may apply to reduce countable income, such as Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWEs)—expenses directly related to your disability needed for working.

4. Work Incentives That Protect Benefits

Oklahoma SSDI recipients can use work incentive programs to test employment without jeopardizing benefits:

• Trial Work Period (TWP): You can work for nine months at any income level and still receive full SSDI benefits.
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): Following the TWP, a 36-month window during which you continue to receive SSDI benefits in months when your earnings fall below the SGA limit.

5. What Happens If You Exceed the SGA Limit

• Exceeding the SGA limit during EPE or after the TWP may cause your benefits to be suspended or stopped.
• Benefits can resume automatically in any month your earnings fall back below the SGA threshold.
• Continuous earnings above the SGA limit may lead to permanent benefit termination, but you may qualify for Expedited Reinstatement if your disability prevents you from working again within five years.