Qualifying for Social Security Disability

People with disabilities that prevent them from working can apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to obtain disability benefits. This includes both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Here is what you need to know about qualifying for Social Security disability benefits:

• Qualifications for Both SSDI and SSI

  • You must have proof of a disability

    • To be able to apply for either SSDI or SSI benefits, you must first have medical evidence of a disability. This can be either a physical condition or a psychological one, so long as there are medical records (such as from seeing a doctor or going to a hospital) proving its existence. 

  • Your disability must be “severe”

    • Even if you have a disability, you will not qualify for SSDI or SSI unless it is considered “severe.” This means that it must substantially impair your ability to work or handle daily tasks, such as lifting, walking, or performing basic chores.

  • You must follow doctor’s orders

    • If you have been diagnosed with a disability, you will only qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits if it continues to be a problem in spite of following a prescribed treatment regimen. If it is found that you ignored doctor’s orders, or failed to follow up on prescribed treatment, you may be denied disability benefits.

  • You must be disabled for a sustained period

    • To qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits, you must have a medical condition which has lasted, or which is expected to last, at least twelve months. Alternatively, it must be a medical condition that is expected to be fatal.

  • You must need meet the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) maximum

    • You must not make more than a certain amount per month, which is known as engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity. In 2026, this means you cannot make more than $1,690 per month (or $2,830 per month if you are blind).

  • You will likely need to attend a DDS examination

    • With a handful of exceptions, if you want to obtain SSDI or SSI benefits, you will need to submit to an examination by Disability Determination Services (DDS). This is a state-run government agency that performs independent medical examinations of SSDI and SSI applicants to confirm the nature and severity of their disability.

• Qualifications Specific to SSDI

  • You need a certain number of work credits

    • To qualify for SSDI, you need to earn “work credits” by engaging in gainful employment and paying Social Security taxes. You earn one work credit by earning $1,890 in income in a fiscal quarter, with a possibility of earning up to four credits by earning $7,560 in a single year.

  • Work credit requirements may vary by age

    • The number of work credits you need to qualify for SSDI depends on your age.

      • People who are 23 and younger only need to have earned six work credits in the three years prior to applying for SSDi

      • People who are between 24 and 31 can qualify by having work credits equal to working half the time between age 21 and whenever they applied for SSDI.

      • People 31 and older need 40 work credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the past 10 years.

• Qualifications Specific to SSI

  • You must not be above the total resource limit

    • To qualify for SSI, you cannot own more than $2000 in total assets (or $3000 for a married couple). However, there are an extensive set of assets excluded from this calculation, which you can read about here.

  • Alternatively, you may be a child with disabilities

    • If you have a child under the age of 18 with a severe disability, they can qualify for SSI until they turn 18, at which point their eligibility must be reassessed.

If you are interested in obtaining Social Security disability benefits, contact attorney John Zaher at 631-310-4655 or on his mobile phone at 631-375-8770, where he can be reached 24/7/365. He will help you explore your options and ensure you get the best chance possible of obtaining SSDI or SSI benefits.