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Want to know how to qualify for disability benefits through Social Security? This article will help you understand the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, the disability qualifications, and how to get disability
SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are two Social Security Administration (SSA) programs with different eligibility requirements. Most people applying wonder whether they qualify for SSDI, SSI, or both. You may qualify for each, and you can receive concurrent benefits from both programs.
To get SSDI, you need to have a qualifying disability and enough work credits. You earn work credits by paying Social Security taxes on your wages or self-employment income.
SSI doesn’t require work credits or a work history. You may get SSI benefits if you have limited income and resources and are blind, disabled, or age 65 or older. Children who are blind or disabled may also get SSI.
Generally, you can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if you have enough work credits and an impairment that meets the definition of disability.
How do you qualify for disability? It’s based on the credits you earn when you pay Social Security taxes. You can earn up to four credits a year (since 1978) based on your annual income, rather than the amount of time you worked that year.
The earnings amount for a credit changes each year. In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,810 earned. To get the maximum four credits in 2025, you must earn $7,240. You might earn extra credits over time, yet they won’t increase your benefit amount. Your benefit amount is based on your average earnings over your working years. You need 40 credits to be eligible for retirement.
The number of credits you need to qualify for SSDI depends on how old you were when you became disabled. These are examples of the requirements:
To qualify for disability, you must generally be a US citizen, US national, or certain categories of lawfully present noncitizens who meet SSA’s additional rules. SSDI usually continues even if you live outside the US, although some noncitizens may have payments stop after six full calendar months abroad unless an exception applies. SSI is different. SSI payments typically stop once you’ve been outside the US for 30 days and can restart only after you return and meet eligibility rules again.
To qualify for a medical disability, you must have a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from doing “substantial gainful activity,” which in 2025 is earning $1,620 a month or $2,700 a month if you’re blind.[2]
Additionally, your disability must also keep you from meeting SGA income limits for 12 months or be expected to result in death to qualify for SSDI benefits. If your condition lasts less than 12 months, it will be considered a short-term disability.
Your doctor cannot simply tell SSA you’re disabled. You’ll need detailed, consistent medical records that prove your condition will keep you from doing SGA for at least a year. Doctors and specialists with the Disability Determination Services (DDS), the state agency that decides your case, will ask your doctors for documentation.
Many serious mental and physical impairments may qualify you for Social Security disability. Musculoskeletal disorders, leukemia, liver disease, hearing loss, coronary artery disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), mental disorders, and traumatic brain injury are among hundreds of impairments that may qualify. About 300 conditions are included in the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances Program, which expedites approval because the condition is so severe.
See this article for examples of conditions that meet SSA disability standards.
Many other factors affect your chances of disability approval. During the application process, the SSA needs medical evidence that your condition is severe, that you’ve followed your doctors’ treatment plans, and that your condition will keep you from doing gainful activity for at least 12 months. An incomplete application, wrong contact numbers, or facts that don’t match can result in a disability denial.
Age and education are both factors that affect the outcome of your disability claim. If you’re 50 or younger, the SSA considers your ability to learn new skills and try new jobs to be higher than when you’re older. For example, you may be able to do light or sedentary work instead of the manual labor you previously did. The SSA uses Medical-Vocational Guidelines (grid rules) to evaluate your ability to work and your age.
The SSA also reviews your education and vocational training to see if you have transferable skills that may help you do other types of work.
The type of work you have done in the past is considered along with your age and education, as you may be able to do less physical work. Remember, every case is unique. The main factor in how to qualify for disability is having an impairment so severe it keeps you from doing SGA for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
Your medical providers can improve your chances of getting disability because they’re often the ones providing medical evidence. Tell your healthcare providers you’re applying for disability so they can prepare the needed evidence and statements.
How long does it take for disability to be approved? It can take six months to over two years, depending on your case, SSA workloads, and whether you have to appeal.
Most SSDI applicants have a five-month waiting period before getting monthly benefits, meaning SSA pays the first benefit for the sixth full month after the disability start date. People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) do not have to serve the five‑month wait. SSI disability benefits do not have a five‑month waiting period.
Our complete guide, “How to Apply for Disability,” helps you understand basic disability terms, each step of the application process, and the hearing and appeals that may follow if your application is denied on initial review.
Navigating SSDI can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team of experienced disability advocates can help simplify and expedite the application process and increase your likelihood of accessing federal SSDI benefits. We'll automatically collect your medical records through a licensed clinician visit and organize them to build a strong case. Many of our services are free, and you’ll have no upfront costs before approval. See if you qualify for our help here.
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While you cannot be 100% sure you qualify for disability until the SSA decides your case, you can review the SSA eligibility requirements here. Remember that your medical condition must prevent you from doing SGA for 12 months or more, and you must have enough work credits to qualify for disability.
You may qualify for disability even if you haven’t worked recently. Work credits are evaluated over several years before the onset of your disability, and requirements depend on your age.
You can apply for disability if you’re still working part‑time. Your impairment must limit your income to below the SGA limits. If you’re self‑employed, SSA uses special rules to decide whether your work counts as SGA.
You don’t need a lawyer or other representative to qualify or complete the application process, but getting help from a disability professional can help ensure that you’re applying correctly.
The SSA Blue Book, or listing of impairments, is vast yet clearly states that not all medical conditions are listed. If your condition isn’t on the list, that’s okay. Your medical providers can help the SSA understand it and provide evidence that it prevents you from performing SGA.
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