Basic Eligibility Requirements for SSDI

To qualify for SSDI, the SSA has specific criteria that applicants must meet. Here’s what you need to know:

• Work History: SSDI is based on your work history. You must have worked in jobs where you paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years. The number of work credits needed depends on your age at the time of your disability. Generally, you need 40 work credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the past 10 years.
• Disability Severity: You must have a severe medical condition that prevents you from doing substantial gainful activity (SGA) for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. The disability must be medically proven and documented.
• Recent Work: Younger individuals may qualify with fewer work credits. The SSA has different work credit requirements depending on your age at the time of disability.
  

Basic Eligibility Requirements for SSI

Unlike SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program, so it’s available to individuals with limited income and resources. Here’s what qualifies someone for SSI:

• Income and Resources: SSI is designed for individuals with low income and limited resources. The SSA sets limits on both income (earned or unearned) and resources (cash, bank accounts, and property) to determine eligibility.
• Age or Disability: You must be either over 65 years of age, blind, or disabled to qualify for SSI. For individuals under 65, the disability must be medically proven, and the individual must be unable to engage in SGA due to the severity of their condition.
• Citizenship and Residency: To qualify for SSI, you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen who meets the SSA’s residency requirements.

What Qualifies as a Disability?

To qualify for Social Security Disability, your condition must meet the SSA’s definition of a disability. The SSA evaluates disabilities based on the following criteria:

• The Disability Must Be Severe: Your condition must significantly interfere with your ability to perform basic work tasks, such as concentrating, walking, lifting, and interacting with others.
• The Disability Must Last for At Least 12 Months or Be Expected to Result in Death: A short-term illness or injury won’t qualify. The SSA only provides benefits for long-term disabilities.
• The Disability Must Be on the SSA’s List of Impairments: The SSA has a Listing of Impairments that includes a variety of conditions—ranging from musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and mental health disorders to cancer, diabetes, and neurological conditions. If your condition matches a listed impairment, it may automatically qualify you for benefits. If not, the SSA will assess whether your condition is equivalent in severity to one of the listed impairments.

How the SSA Evaluates Your Disability

The SSA uses a five-step process to determine whether you qualify for disability benefits. Here are the steps involved:

• Step 1: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) – If you are currently working and earning above a certain income threshold, the SSA may decide that you are not disabled.
• Step 2: Severity of Condition – Your condition must be severe enough to significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities.
• Step 3: Listed Impairments – If your condition is on the SSA’s list of impairments, it may qualify automatically.
• Step 4: Past Work – The SSA will assess whether you can still perform your past work. If you cannot, the evaluation proceeds to the next step.
• Step 5: Other Work – Finally, the SSA will determine if you can do any other type of work based on your age, education, skills, and experience.

Common Conditions That Qualify for Disability

There are numerous medical conditions that may qualify for Social Security Disability, including:

• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia.
• Musculoskeletal disorders, like back problems, arthritis, and joint issues.
• Mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
• Neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
• Cancer, particularly if it’s in an advanced stage or requires long-term treatment.
• Diabetes, especially if it leads to complications like nerve damage, kidney failure, or vision loss.

Each condition must be sufficiently documented by medical records to qualify for disability benefits.