Normally, we establish the EOD on the last day the claimant performed SGA
EXCEPTIONS: It is possible to establish the EOD before the last day of SGA if:
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evidence supports an earlier EOD in a statutory blindness cases, or
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there was no SGA for a period of at least 12 months after the beginning of a period of disability. (For more information on the effects of SGA on disability status, see DI 24001.010; and for information on closed periods under Title II, see DI 25510.010.)
If a claimant has been working continuously at the SGA level and income averaging or unsuccessful work attempt (UWA) provisions are not applicable, consider the entire period of work SGA, even if the earnings in the month SGA stopped have not yet reached the monthly SGA earnings level found in DI 10501.015.
EXAMPLE: Jeff has been working for the same company, doing the same job, and working at the SGA level for 15 years. Acceptable medical sources diagnosed Jeff with a mental impairment early in his career, but Jeff continued to work at an SGA level, with no subsidies, despite his impairment. Jeff stopped working on February 8, 2012 and subsequently applied for disability benefits. Jeff’s wages in the month of February were below SGA. We cannot establish the EOD earlier than February 8, 2012. The continuous period of work up to when Jeff stopped working on February 8, 2012 was performed at the SGA level.