1. Work Credits Requirement

To qualify for SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits based on your work history and age.

• How work credits are calculated: In 2025, you earn one work credit for every $1,730 in wages or self-employment income, up to four credits per year.
• General requirement: Most applicants need 40 work credits, with 20 of those earned in the last 10 years ending when the disability began.
• Younger workers: If you are younger, you may qualify with fewer credits. For example:
• Under age 24: At least 6 credits earned in the 3 years prior to disability onset.
• Age 24 to 31: You generally need credits for half the time between age 21 and the onset of disability.

2. Medical Disability Requirement

The SSA defines disability very strictly. To qualify:

• You must have a severe medical condition that prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA). In 2025, earning more than $1,550 per month ($2,590 if blind) generally indicates SGA, and SSA may find you not disabled.
• Your condition must last or be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

3. Meeting SSA’s Listing of Impairments

Your disability should either:

• Meet or equal a condition in the SSA’s Blue Book Listing of Impairments, which includes severe medical conditions such as:
• Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., spinal disorders, joint dysfunction)
• Neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis)
• Cardiovascular diseases (e.g., chronic heart failure)
• Mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia)
• Respiratory disorders (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Immune system disorders (e.g., lupus, HIV/AIDS)

If your condition does not meet a listed impairment exactly, you may still qualify if it is proven to be equally severe and limiting.

4. Inability to Perform Past Work

SSA evaluates whether your condition prevents you from doing your previous work performed in the past 15 years. If your disability prevents you from returning to that job, the evaluation proceeds to the next step.

5. Inability to Adjust to Other Work

Finally, SSA will determine if you can adjust to any other type of work based on:

• Age
• Education
• Work skills and experience
• Functional limitations

If your disability, combined with these factors, prevents you from performing other work available in the national economy, you may be approved for SSDI benefits.

6. Residency and Citizenship Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualifying legal resident to receive SSDI benefits.
• You must reside in the United States or a country where SSA pays SSDI benefits (most commonly U.S. territories).

7. No Short-Term or Partial Disabilities

SSDI does not provide benefits for:

• Short-term disabilities lasting less than 12 months
• Partial disabilities that limit but do not fully prevent work

You must prove a total and long-term disability to qualify under SSA rules.

8. Evidence Needed for Eligibility

To demonstrate you meet SSDI eligibility requirements, you will need:

• Comprehensive medical records from treating doctors and specialists
• Diagnostic test results, imaging, lab reports, and treatment notes
• Detailed functional capacity assessments or doctor’s statements explaining how your condition prevents work