Social Security disability earnings limits for 2027
In 2027, earnings over $1,770 a month count as substantial gainful activity for people receiving Social Security disability who are not blind, and over $2,950 a month for people who are blind. A month of work over $1,270 counts toward the trial work period.
| Threshold | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Substantial gainful activity, not blind | $1,690/mo. | $1,770/mo. |
| Substantial gainful activity, blind | $2,830/mo. | $2,950/mo. |
| Trial work period month | $1,210/mo. | $1,270/mo. |
What these numbers are
Social Security publishes these each year under the heading Social Security Disability Thresholds: the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amounts, one for people who are blind and one for everyone else, and the Trial Work Period (TWP) amount. The 2027 figures come from the same fact sheet that announced the 3.6% cost-of-living increase.
Not the same as the retirement earnings test
People who take retirement benefits before full retirement age face a different rule, the retirement earnings test, with limits of $25,560 a year in 2027 (or $67,920 in the year you reach full retirement age). The guide to working while collecting covers the retirement rule.
Average disability benefits
The average disabled worker's benefit is estimated at $1,701 a month after the 2027 increase, and $3,077 for a disabled worker with a spouse and one or more children. See all the averages.
Check with Social Security
How these thresholds apply depends on your own case, and the rules for work while on disability have more detail than this page covers. Social Security can tell you how they apply to you.
Check our work
Every figure on this page was read from these official documents. Follow the links and compare.
- 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Fact SheetSocial Security Administration. Read on November 12, 2026.