What Is “Substantial Gainful Activity” in 2026?

One of the most important eligibility factors is whether you are still working.

The SSA uses a threshold called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine if your income is too high to qualify.

In 2026:

• $1,690/month (non-blind individuals)
• $2,830/month (blind individuals)

If you earn more than these amounts, the SSA generally considers you able to work—and you will not qualify for disability benefits, regardless of your medical condition.

SSDI Eligibility: Do You Have Enough Work Credits?

To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked and paid into Social Security long enough to earn work credits.

In 2026:

• You earn 1 credit for every $1,890 in income
• You can earn up to 4 credits per year

Most applicants need:

• 40 total credits (about 10 years of work)
• At least 20 credits earned in the last 10 years

However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits depending on their age.

Example:

• A 50-year-old typically needs the full 40 credits
• A 23-year-old may qualify with as few as 6 credits

If you haven’t worked recently, you may lose your eligibility—even if you worked for many years in the past.