applying for DAC, Can SSA see how much I earned in any given month in the past? or just for the whole year ? even though I cant cant remember or or see on my SSA statement . just earnings for the whole year. how is the SGA in any given month determined ? if the earnings after turning 22 divided up by 12 months in the year do are much less than SGA. how is the SGA in any given month determined ? and if they ask me the last time I worked until and I don't really remember , what should I tell them ? thanks Larry !

Hi. No. The only earnings information that Social Security automatically receives are the annual earnings amounts reported on W-2 forms and self-employment tax returns. However, Social Security can and does frequently request a monthly earnings breakdown from employers when a person applies for or is collecting disability benefits. So, if you apply for disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits, Social Security may contact your former employer(s) for any earnings information that's needed in order to make a determination on your claim.

Social Security bases their substantial gainful activity (SGA) determinations on a person's average monthly earnings over the period that they worked. So, for example, if you earned $6000 in a calendar year but you only worked from January through April, then your average monthly earnings for SGA purposes would be $1500 (i.e. $6000/4).

If you don't remember the exact dates that you worked for an employer, you can simply report that on the application and supplemental forms that Social Security asks you to complete as part of the application process.

Best, Jerry