Work History Requirements for SSDI

One of the key SSDI eligibility criteria is having a sufficient work history:

• Work Credits: You must have earned enough work credits through jobs that paid into Social Security. Most people need 40 work credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled.
• Younger Applicants: If you’re younger, you may qualify with fewer credits. For example, a person under 24 may only need 6 credits earned in the 3 years prior to their disability.

Disability Requirements

To be eligible for SSDI, you must meet the SSA’s definition of “disabled”:

• Inability to Work: You must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to your condition.
• Duration: Your condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• Severity: The disability must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work tasks.

SSA’s Five-Step Evaluation Process

The SSA uses a five-step process to determine disability eligibility:

1. Are You Working? If you earn more than the SGA limit ($1,550/month in 2024), you may be denied.
2. Is Your Condition Severe? It must limit your ability to perform basic tasks such as walking, remembering, or lifting.
3. Is Your Condition on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments? If so, you could automatically qualify.
4. Can You Perform Past Work? The SSA will check if you can return to your previous job.
5. Can You Perform Other Work? If you can’t do past work, SSA checks if there’s other work you can reasonably do.

Medical Documentation Is Key

Providing detailed medical evidence is crucial:

• Doctor’s notes
• Test results
• Treatment history
• Specialist evaluations

Ensure your medical records clearly explain how your condition affects your ability to work.

SSDI and Georgia DDS

In Georgia, disability determinations are handled by Disability Adjudication Services (DAS), which works with the SSA to evaluate applications based on medical and vocational information.