1. Work Credit Requirements

SSDI is an insurance program based on your work history. To qualify, you must have:

• Earned enough work credits by working jobs where you paid Social Security taxes (FICA).
• In general, you need 40 work credits, with 20 of those earned in the last 10 years before you became disabled.
• Younger applicants may qualify with fewer credits. For example:
• If you are under age 24, you need 6 credits earned in the 3 years before disability onset.
• If you are between ages 24 and 31, you need work credits for roughly half the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled.

One work credit in 2025 is earned for every $1,730 in wages or self-employment income, up to four credits per year.

2. Disability Definition

SSA has a strict definition of disability. Your condition must:

• Prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). In 2025, this means earning more than $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if you are blind).
• Be severe, meaning it significantly limits your ability to perform basic work-related tasks such as walking, standing, lifting, remembering, and concentrating.
• Last or be expected to last for at least 12 consecutive months or result in death.

SSDI does not provide benefits for partial or short-term disabilities.

3. Qualifying Medical Conditions

SSDI eligibility requires that your condition either:

• Meets or equals a listed impairment in the SSA Blue Book, which contains conditions considered automatically disabling if specific criteria are met
• Or, your condition prevents you from doing any past relevant work and any other type of full-time work available in the national economy, considering your age, education, work history, and medical limitations

Common qualifying conditions include severe musculoskeletal disorders, heart disease, cancer, respiratory conditions, neurological disorders, and significant mental health conditions.

4. Citizenship or Residency Status

You must be:

• A U.S. citizen, or
• A lawfully present non-citizen who meets specific requirements to qualify for SSDI benefits.

5. Not Engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

At the time of applying, you must not be working above SGA levels. Limited part-time work under SGA is allowed but may still impact your eligibility evaluation.

6. Application Requirements

To apply for SSDI, you will need to submit:

• Proof of age and identity
• Detailed medical records from all treating doctors, clinics, and hospitals
• Work history information for the past 15 years
• Any supporting documentation such as workers’ compensation records if applicable