1. Work Credit Requirements

To qualify for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), you must have worked enough under Social Security and earned sufficient work credits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a work credit system to determine your eligibility. Here's an overview of the requirements:

• Work credits: Generally, you need a total of 40 credits to qualify, with at least 20 of those credits earned in the last 10 years before you become disabled. Work credits are earned by paying Social Security taxes on your earnings.
• Credits based on age: Younger workers may qualify for SSDI with fewer credits based on their age at the time they became disabled. For example, a worker under 24 may need only 6 credits in the 3 years prior to becoming disabled.

In 2025, one work credit is earned for every $1,730 in wages or self-employment income, up to a maximum of four credits per year. This means that if you work enough and earn a certain amount each year, you can accumulate the necessary credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. If you are self-employed, your net earnings are considered in calculating your work credits.

It’s important to note that the number of work credits required for SSDI eligibility can vary depending on the age at which a person becomes disabled. For younger workers, fewer credits may be needed, but the key is to meet the requirements based on the work history leading up to the disability onset. SSA will also take into consideration how recently the credits were earned.

For workers over the age of 31, the usual requirement is 40 credits, which means they must have worked for at least 10 years, though this can change depending on the situation. As you progress through life and your career, it’s crucial to keep track of your Social Security work credits, especially if you face potential disabilities later in life.

2. Disability Definition

Under the rules for SSDI, disability is strictly defined. This is a key component of qualifying for benefits. Here's what you need to know:

• Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): To qualify for SSDI, your condition must prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity. SGA is the level of work activity and earnings that SSA considers to be significant. For 2025, SGA is defined as earning more than $1,470 per month if you are not blind. However, for blind individuals, the SGA level is $2,460 per month. If you earn above this threshold, SSA may decide that you are still able to engage in work activity and may deny your claim.
• Severity of disability: The disability must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities. SSA will evaluate how your disability impacts your ability to work. They will look at your medical condition and the way it impairs your daily activities.
• Duration of the disability: Your disability must have lasted, or be expected to last, for at least 12 months or result in death. SSA does not provide benefits for temporary conditions. For example, if your disability is expected to last for less than 12 months, you are unlikely to qualify for SSDI.

This is a key area in SSDI claims because many applicants face challenges in proving that their disability is severe enough to meet SSA's criteria. For this reason, it’s critical to gather all necessary medical documentation and evidence, such as doctor’s notes, test results, and any other relevant medical information.

If a person is found capable of performing substantial gainful activity, their SSDI claim will likely be denied, regardless of the severity of the condition.

3. Medical Eligibility Rules

SSA evaluates the medical eligibility for SSDI claims based on specific criteria to determine if the condition qualifies under their guidelines. The two main ways this is assessed include:

• Listing of Impairments (Blue Book): SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that are severe enough to automatically qualify for disability benefits. These conditions are detailed in what is known as the Blue Book. To be eligible for SSDI, your condition must meet or be equivalent to one of the impairments listed in the Blue Book. This listing includes a wide variety of conditions, from cardiovascular disorders to mental health issues, respiratory problems, and neurological disorders.
• Residual Functional Capacity (RFC): In cases where the condition is not explicitly listed in the Blue Book, SSA will assess your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). This process involves evaluating how much work you can still perform despite your limitations. Your RFC will consider your ability to do physical work, like lifting, standing, or walking, as well as mental work, such as focusing, remembering instructions, or interacting with others.
• If your condition meets the SSA’s guidelines, they will determine that you meet the medical eligibility rules for SSDI benefits. The medical evidence you provide plays a vital role in proving your case, so it’s important to have detailed and comprehensive documentation from your healthcare providers.

4. Five-Step Disability Evaluation Process

The SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine if an individual qualifies for SSDI benefits. The steps in this process are designed to evaluate your disability in a structured way:

• Step 1: Are you engaging in SGA? The first step is to determine if you are working and earning more than the substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold. If you are, your claim will likely be denied.
• Step 2: Is your condition severe? SSA then evaluates whether your condition is severe enough to significantly limit your ability to perform work-related activities. A “severe” condition is one that impairs your ability to engage in basic job tasks, such as lifting, carrying, or sitting.
• Step 3: Does your condition meet or equal a listed impairment? If your condition is severe, SSA will compare it to the Listing of Impairments in the Blue Book. If it meets or equals a listed condition, you will automatically qualify for SSDI benefits.
• Step 4: Can you perform past relevant work? SSA will then determine if you can still do the work you did before your disability. If you cannot, the evaluation moves on to the next step.
• Step 5: Can you adjust to other work? The final step involves determining if there are other jobs you could do despite your disability. This assessment looks at your age, education, and work experience to decide whether you can transition to other types of employment. If you cannot, you will likely be approved for SSDI.

If you fail any of these steps (except Step 3), your claim will likely be denied. However, if you meet the requirements in Step 3 (meeting a listed impairment), you will likely be approved without further review of the remaining steps.

5. Continuing Disability Reviews

Once approved for SSDI, you are not automatically guaranteed lifetime benefits. SSA periodically reviews your disability to ensure that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. These reviews are known as Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs).

• Review schedule: CDRs typically occur every 3 years if improvement is expected, and every 5-7 years if improvement is not expected. These reviews are designed to assess whether your condition has improved or changed, which might affect your eligibility for benefits.
• The review process: During a CDR, SSA will request updated medical records and other relevant information to determine if your disability is still disabling. If you are no longer considered disabled, your benefits may be stopped. However, if your condition is still severe, you will continue to receive benefits.

6. SSDI Benefit Payments

SSDI payments are based on your average lifetime earnings. This means that the amount you receive in benefits depends on how much you earned while working.

• How benefits are calculated: The SSA uses a formula based on your lifetime earnings, with higher lifetime earnings leading to higher monthly SSDI payments. Your benefits are not determined by your current income, but rather by the amount of income you have paid Social Security taxes on during your working years.
• Waiting period: After your disability onset date, there is a five-month waiting period before your SSDI benefits begin. This waiting period is intended to ensure that the disability is long-term and not a temporary condition. You will receive your benefits after the waiting period is complete, starting from the sixth month of your disability.

7. Working While Receiving SSDI (Trial Work Period)

The Social Security Administration allows SSDI recipients to test their ability to work through the Trial Work Period (TWP). The TWP provides you with an opportunity to try to return to work without losing your SSDI benefits immediately.



• Trial Work Period: During the TWP, you can work for up to 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) and still receive full benefits as long as your earnings exceed $1,110 per month in 2025. This gives you a chance to test your ability to work without the pressure of losing your benefits if you are unable to continue working.
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After the TWP ends, if you continue working but your earnings fall below the SGA level, you will enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). This allows you to keep receiving SSDI benefits during months when your earnings are below the SGA threshold. This period can last for up to 36 months, giving you additional time to transition back to work or adjust to your new situation.