For work activity performed before 1978 by blind employees under title II, the principles of evaluation and the earnings considered sufficient to show an ability to do SGA are the same for blind employees as for other employees. (See DI 10505.001-DI 10505.020.)

1. 1. 

   For evaluation of work activity performed in 1978 or later by blind employees under title II, there is an SGA earnings amount for each year that is higher than the SGA earnings amount for nonblind persons; there is no secondary amount for blind individuals.

2. 2. 

   Prior to applying the Earnings Guidelines for a determination as to SGA, evaluate the earnings and activities of blind employees in the same manner as those of nonblind individuals in order to determine “countable earnings.” (See DI 10505.010.) That is, deduct any subsidy and any IRWE from gross earnings. A blind employee will be considered engaged in SGA in 1978 or later if his or her “countable earnings” average more than the amount shown in the SGA Earnings Guidelines in DI 10501.015.

3. 3. 

   Cases in which average monthly “countable earnings” of blind employees in 1978 or later do not exceed the amount shown for blind persons in the SGA Earnings Guidelines need not be evaluated under the comparability and worth of work tests. It should be assumed that such average monthly “countable earnings” do not demonstrate an ability to engage in SGA. GA.