Section 416.2210 - What we mean by "SGA" and by "a continuous period of 9 months"(a)What we mean by "SGA". In determining whether an individual's work is SGA, we will follow the rules in §§ 416.972 through 416.975 . We will follow these same rules for individuals who are statutorily blind, but we will evaluate the earnings in accordance with the rules in § 404.1584(d) of this chapter.(b)What we mean by "a continuous period of 9 months". A continuous period of 9 months ordinarily means a period of 9 consecutive calendar months. Exception: When an individual does not perform SGA in 9 consecutive calendar months, he or she will be considered to have done so if-(1) The individual performs 9 months of SGA within 10 consecutive months and has monthly earnings that meet or exceed the guidelines in § 416.974(b)(2) , or § 404.1584(d) of this chapter if the individual is statutorily blind, or(2) The individual performs at least 9 months of SGA within 12 consecutive months, and the reason for not performing SGA in 2 or 3 of those months was due to circumstances beyond his or her control and unrelated to the impairment (e.g., the employer closed down for 3 months).(c)What work we consider. In determining if a continuous period of SGA has been completed, all of an individual's work activity may be evaluated for purposes of this section, including work performed before October 1, 1981, during a trial work period, and after eligibility for disability or blindness payments ended. We will ordinarily consider only the first 9 months of SGA that occurs. The exception will be if an individual who completed 9 months of SGA later stops performing SGA, received VR services and then performs SGA for a 9-month period. See § 416.2215 for the use of the continuous period in determining payment for VR services.48 FR 6297, Feb. 10, 1983, as amended at 55 FR 8457, Mar. 8, 1990