What are the latest personal net worth limits for 8(a) economic disadvantage in October 2026?

The personal net worth limit for economic disadvantage in the 8(a) Business Development Program is less than $850,000, excluding the ownership interest in the applicant firm and the equity in the primary personal residence (13 CFR 124.104(c)(2)). The SBA presumes an individual is not economically disadvantaged if their adjusted gross income averaged over the three preceding years exceeds $400,000 (13 CFR 124.104(c)(3)). Additionally, an individual will generally not be considered economically disadvantaged if the fair market value of all assets exceeds $6.5 million (13 CFR 124.104(c)(4)).

These are the current figures for the 8(a) economic disadvantage criteria. My firm is an SDVOSB and I went through the certification process with the SBA, which can take some time. You should gather all your financial documents early in the process. The 8(a) program provides a nine-year term from the date of the SBA approval letter admitting a firm to the program (13 CFR 124.2(a)).