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Automatic Increases
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Determinations of Substantial Gainful Activity

Automatic Increases

Substantial gainful activity amounts

Wage-indexed amounts

SGA for the Blind—does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2009 is such SGA amount for 1994 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2007 to that for 1992, or, if larger, such SGA amount for 2008 ($1,570). If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10.

Calculation details
Amounts in
formula
1994 monthly SGA amount$930
1992 average wage index$22,935.42
2007 average wage index$40,405.48
Computation$930 times ($40,405.48 divided by $22,935.42) equals $1,638.39, which rounds to $1,640.
Higher amount$1,640 exceeds $1,570, so the amount for 2009 is $1,640


SGA for the Non-Blind Disabled—applies to Social Security and SSI benefits
The method used to adjust the SGA for non-blind individuals is similar to that used for blind individuals and was published in the Federal Register (FR 65 82905) on December 29, 2000. The monthly SGA amount for non-blind disabled individuals for 2009 is such SGA amount for 2000 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2007 to that for 1998, or, if larger such SGA amount for 2008 ($940). If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10.

Calculation details
Amounts in
formula
2000 monthly SGA amount$700
1998 average wage index$28,861.44
2007 average wage index$40,405.48
Computation$700 times ($40,405.48 divided by $28,861.44) equals $979.99, which rounds to $980
Higher amount$980 exceeds $940, so the amount for 2009 is $980

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Last reviewed or modified Thursday Oct 16, 2008
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