| Introduction |
To be eligible for disability benefits, a
person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of
impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging
in SGA. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the
nature of a person's disability. The Social Security Act specifies a
higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals;
Federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals.
Both SGA amounts increase with increases in the
national average wage index. |
| Amounts for 2005 |
The monthly SGA amount for
statutorily blind individuals for 2005
is $1,380. For non-blind individuals,
the monthly SGA amount for 2005 is $830.
Shown below are details on how these amounts were determined. |
SGA for the Blind
[does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits] |
The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind
individuals for 2005 is such SGA amount for 1994 multiplied by the
ratio of the national average wage index for 2003 to that for 1992, or,
if larger, such SGA amount for 2004 ($1,350).
If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the
nearest multiple of $10.
Calculation details
Amounts in
formula |
1994 monthly SGA amount | $930 |
| 1992 average wage index | $22,935.42 |
| 2003 average wage index | $34,064.95 |
| Computation | $930 times ($34,064.95 divided by $22,935.42)
equals $1,381.29, which rounds to $1,380. |
| Higher amount | $1,380 exceeds $1,350,
so the amount for 2005 is $1,380 |
|
SGA for the Non-Blind Disabled
(applies to Social Security and SSI benefits) |
The method used to adjust the SGA for non-blind
individuals is similar to that used for blind individuals and was published
in the Federal Register (FR 65 82905) on December 29, 2000. The monthly
SGA amount for non-blind disabled individuals for 2005 is such SGA amount
for 2000 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for
2003 to that for 1998, or, if larger such SGA amount for
2004 ($810). If the amount so calculated is
not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10.
Calculation details
Amounts in
formula |
2000 monthly SGA amount | $700 |
| 1998 average wage index | $28,861.44 |
| 2003 average wage index | $34,064.95 |
| Computation | $700 times ($34,064.95 divided by $28,861.44)
equals $826.20, which rounds to $830 |
| Higher amount | $830 exceeds
$810, so the amount for 2005 is
$830 |
|
| Trial work period |
After a person becomes eligible for disability
benefits, the person may attempt to return to the work force. As an
incentive, we provide a trial work period
in which a beneficiary may have earnings and still collect benefits. |
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www.socialsecurity.gov
