You have probably asked this question, as you want to maintain a source of income in Texas while applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not prohibit you from working, you could face denial due to not following its rules.
What Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) means in SSDI benefits
Since SSDI is a federal program, your application should follow the SSA’s rules instead of Texas statutes. Part of the SSA’s application assessment is evaluating your SGA.
The SSA measures SGA by comparing your monthly gross (this means pre-tax, not take-home pay) earnings to its current limits. For 2026, the monthly limit is $1,690 for non-blind applicants and $2,830 for statutorily blind individuals in gross income. Exceeding these limits counts as grounds for a denial. Note that self-employment and gig work may have additional considerations regarding that “value” of work performed versus the actual dollars paid.
Why keeping your part-time work does not guarantee approval
Working part-time in Texas may result in an income less than the SGA limit. Without proper preparation, the SSA can consider that you are capable of working full-time despite the severity of your medical condition.
This is because the SSA does not only look at your earnings but also considers the amount of effort you exert in performing duties. While earning below the SGA limit satisfies one part of the assessment, the SSA reviews the physical and mental demands of your part-time work during the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) phase to determine if you retain the ability to perform substantial work.
Avoid these common mistakes when applying for SSDI
Because SSDI claim reviews tend to be lengthy, you must ensure that you avoid making mistakes during your application. These can include:
- Choosing part-time work in Texas that contradicts your medical claims
- Failing to document employer accommodations and/or failed work attempts
- Miscalculating the full value of your self-employment or gig work
Before you submit your application, consider having it reviewed by someone who is knowledgeable about SSA rules and regulations.