What Social Security Disability Insurance Is

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that pays monthly benefits to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes, but can no longer work because of a medical condition. Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is need-based, SSDI is based on your own work history and the taxes you've already paid into the system.

To receive SSDI, you must have a condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and you must be unable to do substantial work because of it. The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates your medical records, work history, and age to make a information. Your family members may also be able to receive benefits based on your work record.

The amount you receive depends on your average lifetime earnings, not on how severe your condition is or how much money you have. If you were born before 1943, your benefit amount may be different than for people born later.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI requires you to have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years, with the exact requirement depending on your age when you became disabled.
  • Your condition must prevent you from doing substantial work and be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
  • The SSA uses a five-step process to evaluate whether your condition meets their definition of disability, and the process typically takes three to six months.
  • Family members including your spouse, children, and ex-spouse may receive benefits based on your work record even if you are not yet receiving benefits yourself.
  • You can work part-time and still receive SSDI as long as your earnings stay below a certain monthly amount, which changes yearly.

Work Credits and How Many You Need

The SSA measures your work history in work credits. You earn one credit for each $1,470 of wages or self-employment income you report (this amount changes yearly). You can earn up to four credits per year, so you need at least 10 years of work to build up enough credits for most situations.

However, the exact number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled. If you are under 24, you may need only six credits earned in the three years before you became disabled. If you are 24 to 31, you generally need credits for half the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled. If you are 31 or older, you typically need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before you became disabled.

You can check your work credits by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement. This statement shows your earnings history and the credits you have earned each year.

How the SSA Determines Disability

The SSA uses a five-step process to decide whether your condition qualifies as a disability under their rules. First, they determine whether you are currently working and earning more than $1,550 per month (this amount changes yearly). If you are, they generally will not find you disabled.

Second, they check whether your condition is severe enough to significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities like lifting, standing, walking, or remembering instructions. If it is not, they will deny your claim.

Third, they compare your condition to the SSA's list of conditions that automatically may have access to as disabilities. This list, called the Blue Book, includes conditions like certain cancers, heart disease, arthritis, and mental health disorders. If your condition matches one on the list and meets the severity requirements, you may be found disabled at this step.

Fourth, if your condition is not on the Blue Book, the SSA evaluates whether you can do the work you did in the past 15 years. Fifth, they determine whether you can do any other type of work that exists in the economy, considering your age, education, work experience, and the limitations caused by your condition. If you cannot do any work, you may be found disabled.

The Application Process and Timeline

You can start the SSDI application online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records related to your condition.

The SSA will ask for details about your work history, your current condition, any medical treatment you have received, and how your condition affects your daily activities and ability to work. Be specific about dates, doctors' names, and hospitals or clinics where you have been treated. The more complete your medical records, the faster the SSA can make a decision.

Initial decisions typically take three to six months. If the SSA denies your claim, you have 60 days to request reconsideration. If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Many people are found disabled at the hearing stage even if they were denied initially, so pursuing a hearing is common.

Work Incentives and Continuing to Earn

You can work part-time and still receive SSDI benefits as long as your monthly earnings stay below the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, which is $1,550 per month in 2024 (this amount increases yearly). If you earn more than this amount, the SSA may determine that you are able to work and stop your benefits.

The SSA also offers work incentives designed to help you transition back to work without immediately losing all your benefits. The Trial Work Period allows you to work for up to nine months (not necessarily consecutive) and earn any amount without affecting your benefits. After the trial work period ends, you enter the Extended Period of may be able to access, which lasts 36 months. During this time, you can work and earn above the SGA limit for some months without losing benefits, though you will lose benefits for any month in which you earn over the SGA limit.

If you stop working and your condition has not improved, you can request that your benefits restart without having to file a new application. You must request reinstatement within five years of when your benefits ended.

Family Benefits Based on Your Record

If you are receiving SSDI, your family members may also receive monthly benefits based on your work record. Your spouse can receive benefits at any age if they are caring for your child who is under 16, or at age 62 or older. Your ex-spouse can also receive benefits if you were married for at least 10 years and they are age 62 or older.

Your unmarried children can receive benefits until age 19 if they are in high school full-time, or until age 18 if they are not in school. Children who became disabled before age 22 can receive benefits for life, even after they turn 19.

Each family member receives their own monthly benefit, but the total amount paid to your entire family cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of your benefit amount. If the total would exceed this limit, each family member's benefit is reduced proportionally.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once you are approved for SSDI, the SSA will schedule periodic reviews to confirm that your condition still prevents you from working. The frequency of these reviews depends on the nature of your condition. Some conditions are reviewed every three years, others every seven years, and some only if circumstances change significantly.

During a review, you will be asked to provide updated medical records and information about any work you have attempted or any changes in your condition. If your condition has improved and you are now able to work, your benefits may end. If your condition has worsened, your benefits will continue.

You are required to report any changes in your situation, including if you return to work, if your medical treatment changes, or if you move. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that you will be required to repay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSDI if I have never worked?

No. SSDI is based on your own work history and the Social Security taxes you have paid. If you have never worked or do not have enough work credits, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is a need-based program for people with disabilities, blindness, or who are age 65 or older.

How much will I receive each month?

Your benefit amount is based on your average lifetime earnings, not on the severity of your condition. The average SSDI benefit in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but your individual benefit could be higher or lower. You can estimate your benefit by viewing your Social Security Statement on ssa.gov.

What if I disagree with the SSA's decision?

You have 60 days from the date you receive the decision to request reconsideration. If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 60 days. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer. Many people are approved at the hearing stage.

Can I work while receiving SSDI?

Yes, as long as your earnings stay below the SGA limit of $1,550 per month (2024). You can also use the Trial Work Period to test your ability to work for up to nine months without losing benefits, regardless of how much you earn during those months.

What happens to my benefits if I move to another country?

If you move outside the United States, your SSDI benefits generally continue, but there are restrictions for certain countries. You must notify the SSA before you move. Some countries have agreements with the United States that allow benefits to continue; others do not. Contact the SSA before moving to confirm your benefits will continue.