Is There a Minimum Age to Apply?

Technically, there is no minimum age to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However:

• For SSDI, you must have a work history, so most recipients are at least in their 20s or older, since they need to have earned enough work credits.
• For SSI, children with severe disabilities can qualify based on family income and resources, so minors may be eligible.

How Age Affects Disability Claims

Age becomes an important factor after age 50. The SSA uses age categories when evaluating your ability to do other types of work:

SSA Age Categories:

• Under 50: You must prove you cannot perform any job, even unskilled work.
• 50–54 (Closely approaching advanced age): SSA becomes more lenient. If you can't do your past work and lack transferable skills, you may qualify.
• 55–59 (Advanced age): It becomes easier to qualify if your condition prevents you from doing past work, especially with limited education or skills.
• 60–66: Even greater consideration is given. At this age range, SSA recognizes it may be harder to retrain or switch careers.

These age brackets are part of the “Medical-Vocational Guidelines”, also known as the Grid Rules, which the SSA uses when determining disability status.

Work Credits and SSDI Eligibility by Age

To qualify for SSDI, you must earn enough Social Security work credits. The number required depends on your age:

• Before age 24: Generally need 6 credits (about 1.5 years of work) in the 3 years before your disability.
• Ages 24–31: You may qualify with work credits for about half the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled.
• Age 31 and older: Usually need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled.

When Age Doesn’t Matter as Much

For SSI (which is based on financial need, not work history), age is less critical. What matters more is your income, resources, and the severity of your disability.



Also, children under 18 with qualifying impairments can receive SSI if their family meets the financial limits.