SOCIAL SECURITY INCREASES "SGA" FOR 2021

SGA stands for "Substantial Gainful Activity." It is the amount of earnings that a person is allowed to make and still pursue a disability claim. The old SGA in 2020 was $1,260 per month.

The new SGA amount for 2021 will be $1,310 per month.

If you have wages or self-employment of $1,310 or more per month, you can't "Pass Go," with Social Security and your disability claim will be denied at Step 1, without your medical conditions being considered. We call this a Step 1 denial.

The SGA amount is adjusted annually to keep up with inflation and the cost of living.

I should point out that SSDI claims are not means tested. A claimant does not need to have limited financial resources to file a disability claim. However, the ability to work must be restricted, otherwise Social Security will not consider the claimant to be disabled. Earning up to the SGA amount demonstrates the ability to work a job that is both "substantial" and "gainful," as opposed to a strictly part-time job with "non-substantial" wages (below $1,310 in 2021).