What specific income thresholds changed for SSDI eligibility in 2026?

1. What changed: the SGA floor moved up for 2026

The single most consequential threshold for SSDI eligibility is the SGA monthly earnings test. For 2026 the SGA for non‑blind beneficiaries is $1,690 per month (a $70 increase from 2025) and for statutorily blind beneficiaries it is $2,830 per month (a $130 increase), meaning people can earn more before SSA presumes they are engaging in substantial gainful activity and therefore ineligible for SSDI ^{[1] [2] [4]}.

2. Why it matters: SGA determines loss of disability status

The SGA threshold is not an arbitrary number; it is the income level at which the SSA typically concludes a person’s work is substantial enough to end disability benefits. Raising it lets some beneficiaries earn more without automatic disqualification, changing practical incentives for returning to work or doing part‑time paid activity ^{[4] [1]}.

3. Work credits also rose: what you must earn to build future eligibility

The amount of earnings required to earn one Social Security work credit increased to $1,890 in 2026, so four credits—the maximum you can earn in a year—require $7,560. That alters how quickly a worker accumulates the credits needed to qualify for SSDI or retirement benefits ^{[2] [3]}.

4. Trial Work Period and related thresholds: reporting and planning implications

Sources note the Trial Work Period (TWP) and other work‑related thresholds are indexed and expected to rise with wage growth; several outlets project the monthly threshold that counts as a TWP month will increase for 2026. That shift affects how quickly a beneficiary uses up the nine TWP months that allow trial employment without losing benefits ^{[5] [6]}.

5. COLA and benefit amounts: the backdrop for threshold changes

A 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment for 2026 raises SSDI and SSI payments, and SSA updated related thresholds concurrently. The COLA and SGA/work‑credit increases move together because Congress and SSA index many limits to wage growth and inflation ^{[7] [8]}.

6. Practical effects and who gains the most

Raising SGA primarily helps beneficiaries near the prior threshold who want to attempt more work while preserving benefits—especially those with partial work capacity or who are blind and face higher earnings allowances. The higher work‑credit requirement, however, slightly increases the earnings needed to accrue future eligibility for younger workers ^{[4] [3]}.

7. Areas where sources differ or are vague

Most sources consistently report the SGA and work‑credit increases for 2026, but detail on exact Trial Work Period monthly cutoffs and timing varies: some legal blogs project increases without citing an SSA table, and others describe the TWP structure without a definitive 2026 figure ^{[5] [6]}. Available sources do not mention a finalized TWP dollar amount for 2026 in all reports.

8. Hidden agendas and who’s commenting

Many of the articles are produced by law firms and benefits advisers who serve clients seeking SSDI—an interest that can emphasize planning strategies and may highlight modest increases as significant advantages for clients. Consumer outlets (AARP, SSA‑linked pages) aim for broader public information and cite SSA figures directly ^{[1] [7] [2]}.

9. What beneficiaries should do now

Beneficiaries contemplating work should recheck earnings estimates against the $1,690/$2,830 SGA limits and the $1,890 per‑credit rule, report earnings promptly to SSA, and consult a benefits counselor or attorney for individualized planning. Sources emphasize documentation and cautious, incremental returns to work to avoid unexpected overpayments or loss of benefits ^{[5] [4]}.

Limitations: this analysis uses only the supplied reporting. If you need precise SSA tables (monthly TWP dollar or other minute rules), those details are not fully enumerated in every source here and should be verified directly with SSA materials or an SSA representative ^[7].