At a glance
- What changed
- Social Security's 2026 COLA is 2.8%. Substantial gainful activity is now $1,690 a month ($2,830 if blind), and a trial work period month is $1,210.
- Who it affects
- People applying for or receiving SSDI or SSI in 2026, including anyone testing work or checking the SSI federal payment.
- What to do
- Use the 2026 amounts when you report work. The tax you already owe, and the medical rules, did not change.
- Starts
On this page
Social Security's 2026 COLA fact sheet sets a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment for 2026. The same sheet updates the disability earnings lines that decide whether work counts against a claim or a benefit.
What changes
The fact sheet compares 2025 and 2026 this way:
| Amount | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Substantial gainful activity, not blind | $1,620 a month | $1,690 a month |
| Substantial gainful activity, blind | $2,700 a month | $2,830 a month |
| Trial work period | $1,160 a month | $1,210 a month |
| SSI federal payment, individual | $967 a month | $994 a month |
| SSI federal payment, couple | $1,450 a month | $1,491 a month |
| One work credit (quarter of coverage) | $1,810 | $1,890 |
The Red Book 2026 page repeats the SGA amounts: $1,690 if you are not blind, $2,830 if you are. The work page uses $1,210 as the 2026 trial work period line.
SSI resource limits stay at $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
Who it affects
Anyone applying for SSDI in 2026 is judged against the new SGA line. If you are already on SSDI and testing work, a month counts toward the trial work period when 2026 earnings go over $1,210 before taxes. After those nine months, the extended period of eligibility uses the new SGA amounts.
SSI recipients see a higher federal payment in January 2026 if they remain eligible. Income and resource rules still apply.
What you still owe or still need to do
The medical definition of disability did not change. You still have to report work. A job under last year's line can sit over this year's line. Interest, other benefits, and state SSI supplements are outside this fact sheet.
The five-month SSDI waiting period is still in place. It counts from the date Social Security finds your disability began. How long an SSDI application takes covers that rule.
What to do now
Use the 2026 numbers when you fill out a work report or talk about a part-time job. If you are still deciding whether to file, what to do when you need to file is the order. If you already have a claim pending, working while you apply is the page that applies the SGA line to that stage.
Pages we updated
- What to do when you need to file for Social Security disability now uses the 2026 SGA and work-credit amounts.
- Can I work while I apply for SSDI? quotes the 2026 SGA and trial work period lines.
- What's the difference between SSDI and SSI? uses the 2026 federal SSI payment and resource limits.
Sources
Where our facts come from
Who wrote this page
- Written by
- First Claim Guide editorial staff. Who runs this site
- Licensed professional
- None. No disability attorney or SSA-authorized representative has checked this page.
Ask about the first filing
A disability representative who serves your area may call about the claim. The call does not file anything or hire them.