What does “Substantial Gainful Activity” Mean?
This term is used by SSA when evaluating earned income and work activity of individuals applying for or already receiving disability benefits. SSA uses two criteria to determine substantial gainful activity. One is work that involves significant physical or mental work or a combination thereof, which is performed for profit and which is productive. This type is known as “substantial activity.” The other is known as “gainful activity” and is work that is performed for pay or profit that is of a nature that would normally be performed for pay or profit, whether or not the person actually received pay or profit. The present rate for SGA is $810 per month; for the blind it is $1350.
