1. Work Credit Requirements

SSDI is an insurance program funded through payroll taxes. To qualify, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to earn sufficient work credits.

• How Work Credits Are Earned:
  You earn up to 4 credits per year based on your earnings. In 2025, one credit is earned for each $1,730 in wages or self-employment income.
• How Many Credits You Need:
  Generally, you need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years, ending in the year you became disabled.
• Younger Workers:
  Individuals under age 31 may qualify with fewer credits. For example:
• Ages 24-31: Must have worked half the time since age 21
• Under 24: Requires 6 credits earned in the 3 years before disability onset

2. Medical Disability Requirements

The SSA has strict medical criteria for disability approval. To qualify, you must:

• Have a medically determinable impairment confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings
• Prove that your condition:
• Prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA)
• Is expected to last at least 12 continuous months or result in death

In 2025, the SGA income limit for non-blind individuals is $1,550 per month and $2,590 per month for blind individuals.

3. Listed Impairments

SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments that outlines conditions considered severe enough to qualify automatically if specific criteria are met, including:

• Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g. severe back injuries, joint dysfunction)
• Cardiovascular conditions (e.g. chronic heart failure)
• Neurological disorders (e.g. epilepsy, multiple sclerosis)
• Respiratory illnesses (e.g. COPD)
• Mental disorders (e.g. depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
• Cancer, immune system disorders, and others

If your condition does not meet a listing, you can still qualify by demonstrating it prevents you from doing any past work or other work available in the national economy, considering your age, education, and skills.

4. Duration Requirement

Your disability must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 continuous months. Short-term or partial disabilities do not qualify under SSDI rules.

5. Citizenship or Legal Status Requirement

You must be a:

• U.S. citizen, or
• Lawfully present non-citizen who meets SSA requirements for benefits eligibility

6. Residency

While SSDI is a federal program and requirements are uniform nationwide, you must reside in the United States or certain U.S. territories to receive payments.

7. Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Test

If you are working and earning above the SGA threshold, SSA will determine that you are not disabled, regardless of medical condition severity.

8. Other Factors Impacting Eligibility

• Previous Denials: If you have been denied previously, understand why to strengthen your new application or appeal
• Prior SSDI or SSI Benefits: Prior receipt does not bar future eligibility if you meet current requirements
• Workers’ Compensation or Other Disability Payments: These may affect the amount of SSDI you receive but do not impact eligibility itself