Tag Archives: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

What’s new in Social Security in 2010?

The Social Security Red Book page has a nice summary of the the changes in the Social Security system in 2010: We increased the Substantial Gainful Activity SGA amount for individuals with disabilities, other than blindness, from $980 to $1000 … Continue reading

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I earn too much for Social Security disability benefits, what can I do?

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits you have to show that your disability prevents you from being able to work. In Social Security’s words, you have to show that you are unable to engage in a substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA translates … Continue reading

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Is SGA too complicated?

Even if you know the definition of a substantial gainful activity (SGA), could you apply it? Can you be sure that the last job you tried before you applied for Social Security disability benefits was SGA? Charles Hall proposes that substantial gainful activity … Continue reading

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How Social Security reviews cases: the 5 step sequential evaluation process

I have written about how Social Security defines disability, work, and a substantial gainful activity. But, how does Social Security really evaluate a case? Social Security reviews cases using the five-step sequential evaluation process to decide is a person is … Continue reading

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Can I work and still receive Social Security disability or SSI benefits?

Updated 06/05/09. Can a person work and still receive Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits? The answer is a qualified “yes.” Social Security wants people to try to go back to work. But, the regulations surrounding keeping … Continue reading

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Trial work period and Social Security disability benefits

Social Security encourages you to try to go back to work to see if you can do it. A Trial Work Period (TWP) lets you work and still be considered disabled by Social Security. A beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may … Continue reading

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Reducing income below SGA levels: Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE)

If your work is performed at a Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level you may be denied Social Security disability benefits.  However, you may be able to reduce the amount Social Security considers to bring your gross income below SGA levels. One … Continue reading

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Should I work while waiting for my Social Security hearing?

The long wait for a Social Security hearing is a massive financial drain for most people.  With no money coming in, or just minimal state aid, a lot of people wonder how to pay for rent, utilities, and groceries.   … Continue reading

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB)?

Social Security has two different benefit programs for individuals who are disabled. Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB, also known as SSDI, or Title 2 benefits); and Supplemental Security Income (SSI or Title 16 benefits). Because of its name, it is a common … Continue reading

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Am I disabled? Should I apply for Social Security benefits?

A lot of people ask me how Social Security decided if they are disabled. I can’t do the work I have done for 35 years.  Am I disabled? I stopped working to take care of a family member, but now … Continue reading

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What if I am earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity amount?

A number of people responded to my prior post about “substantial gainful activity” amounts. To briefly review: the general rule is that you cannot earn more than the substantial gainful activity amounts to be found disabled. What do I do … Continue reading

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Does Social Security consider all work a Substantial Gainful Activity?

Social Security defines disability as the inability to engage in a “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). A simplified way of putting this is to say that in order to be found disabled, you have to show that you are unable to … Continue reading

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How Social Security considers your ability to work in a disability case

Under Social Security regulations, disability is the inability to engage in a “substantial gainful activity.” This means that to win a Social Security disability case, you have to show that your impairments prevent you from being able to work. More … Continue reading

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Social Security basics: what is a “disability?”

In order to qualify for disability benefits under Social Security you have to be found disabled. Well, thank you Captain Obvious. Ok. But, what does it mean to be disabled? Is it enough to have a medical impairment? Is the … Continue reading

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