Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
When a serious health condition or disability affects employment, many individuals find themselves unable to secure steady income at a critical time. To avoid hardship and accumulating debt, adults with a qualifying work history and who have paid Social Security taxes can benefit from federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This program provides monthly benefits to eligible individuals who meet specific health- and work-related criteria, ensuring they maintain stability while managing long-term health challenges.
What Is SSDI?
The SSDI program (sometimes called “Disability”) is operated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and serves adults who have a long-standing disability or chronic health issue that either prevents them from working for at least 1 year or is expected to result in death.
Reference: 1. Social Security Administration. Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2023. Published October 2024. https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/index.html
SSDI Work Credits
Qualifying individuals must have accumulated “work credits” through Social Security tax payments throughout their career(s). The general rule is that they must have worked 5 of the last 10 years and earned what the SSA calls “credits.” These are based on total wages and self-employment income earned in a year.
An individual can gain 4 credits each year, and each credit is tied to a specific amount of money earned. The number can change each year; in 2025, individuals received 1 credit for every $1,810 earned.
To qualify for SSDI, individuals must:
- Carry 20 credits earned in the previous 40 calendar quarters (~10 years), often called the SSDI 20/40 Rule. The SSA also refers to this as being “fully insured”
- Suffer from blindness or a qualifying long-term disability that prevents work
Because SSDI eligibility is work-related, individuals often don’t qualify until age 31 because of potentially limited work history. However, for those younger, there are options available:
- Adults aged ≤24 years: Must have earned at least 6 work credits in the 3 years before their disability began
- Adults aged 24-31 years: Need credit for working at least half the time between age 21 and the date their disability began
- Adults aged ≥31 years: Standard 20/40 credit system applies
- Adults aged 65-67 years (dependent on birth year): SSDI benefits stop when an individual reaches full retirement age (FRA) and convert to standard retirement Social Security benefits
All eligible applicants must also meet the SSA’s definition of medical disability.
SSDI for Disabled Adult Children
The SSA considers Disabled Adult Children (DAC) individuals who have a disability that began before age 22. If their parent is deceased or begins collecting SSA retirement or disability benefits, the Disabled Adult Child may also qualify for SSDI benefits.
Benefits are paid based on the parent’s earnings record. The Disabled Adult Child can have earnings, but they can’t be substantial (as of 2025, <$1,620 per month; <$2,700 per month if the DAC is blind). This is called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
How Much Do SSDI Benefits Pay?
The amount of SSDI benefits a person receives each month is based on their previous earnings and Social Security tax contributions, often called “lifetime earnings” or average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). It does not depend on the severity of the disability.
In 2025, the average monthly SSDI payment is $1,751.08, and the maximum monthly SSDI benefit is $4,018.
The amount a person receives from SSDI is based on their past earnings and how much they paid in Social Security taxes while working. This amount is not affected by personal assets or household income but may be reduced if the person is receiving other government benefits, like workers’ compensation.
How to Apply for SSDI
SSDI applications can be completed:
- Online at SSA.gov
- By calling 1-800-772-1213
- In person at a local Social Security office by appointment recommended
Individuals should apply as soon as they become disabled. The SSA enacts a 5-month waiting period from the time they determine the disability began. On the first day of Month 6, qualifying individuals can begin receiving benefits.*
The SSA application requires various proofs of identity and citizenship, proof of income and work history, current financial status, and medical proof of disability already in possession, including test results, doctors’ records, and medical records. It’s crucial to have all of these to avoid errors and any delays in application processing.
The SSDI decision process generally takes several months. Most initial decisions are made within 3 to 6 months, but the exact time depends on availability of medical records, work history, and the complexity of the medical condition.
*There is no waiting period for disabilities resulting from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
SSDI Compassionate Allowances
The SSA Compassionate Allowances program accelerates the SSDI decision process for individuals with certain severe medical conditions, including adult brain disorders, certain cancers, and rare disorders affecting children. These diseases and conditions historically meet all the SSA’s disability requirements. So long as there is supported medical evidence, the SSA will fast-track these individuals’ applications, often reaching approval in a matter of weeks.
Returning to Work While Receiving SSDI
Some individuals receiving SSDI benefits are encouraged to return to work and may receive Disability payments for up to 9 months during a Trial Work Period (TWP). Any month the individual earns over $1,160 before taxes will count toward the 9-month threshold. Months are counted in a rolling 5-year period and do not need to be consecutive.
Following the Trial Work Period is a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). In 2025, earning limits are $1,620 per month or $2,700 if Disability benefits are received for blindness. If income exceeds these amounts in any month, individuals will not qualify for a Disability payment for that month. Earnings over this limit beyond the EPE period will result in termination of SSDI benefits.
The primary benefit of the TWP and EPE is that SSDI payments can be reactivated quickly if an individual finds they are still unable to work consistently due to their disability.
Responsibilities While Receiving SSDI
Individuals receiving SSDI benefits must report all changes that could impact eligibility or payment amounts to the SSA. These include:
- Returning to work or changes in work hours or income (including self-employment)
- Changes in disability status or medical condition
- Changes in living situation, address, marital status, or immigration status
- Receipt of other benefits, like workers’ compensation, SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, or retirement
Regular reporting ensures individuals receive the max benefit they qualify for and prevents any miscommunications or violations that could result in loss of benefits.
FAQs
What’s the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI eligibility is based on an individual’s work history and tax payments. Individuals between 18 and retirement age (~65 years) must have a qualifying disability that prevents them from working, and they must have contributed to Social Security through payroll taxes for a certain period of time.
SSI is intended for those with very limited income and assets, and eligibility is primarily based on financial need. While an individual’s disability is factored into the evaluation, the focus is on overall economic circumstances. Applicants must also fall within the age range of over 18 and up to age 65.
What disabilities qualify for SSDI?
Health complications and disabilities affect everyone differently, so there is a wide range of conditions that may qualify for SSDI. These include:
- Mental health conditions (panic disorders, PTSD, autism spectrum disorders)
- Neurological disorders (epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke)
- Respiratory conditions (COPD, Long COVID, asthma)
- Skin disorders
- Immune disorders (lupus, HIV/AIDS)
- Cardiovascular disorders (coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure)
- Cancers (breast, lung, prostate)*
- Diabetes and endocrine disorders
- Digestive disorders (Crohn’s disease, IBS, chronic liver disease)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Orthopedic and musculoskeletal disorders (back pain, sciatica, arthritis)
- Sense and speech disorders
Individuals will need sufficient documentation for these from a healthcare professional when applying for SSDI. Note that because mental health conditions are highly unique to the individual and often lack universal definitions, they may require more extensive testing and documentation to prove disabling.
*Cancers qualifying for accelerated approval include pancreatic and liver cancer, small cell lung cancer, and leukemia.
What does TERI mean?
Terminal Illness Expedited Process (TERI) is the SSA protocol for expediting disability benefits to individuals living with a terminal illness. TERI conditions include:
- AIDS
- ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Receiving inpatient or at-home hospice care
- Inoperable, metastatic, Stage IV, persistent, and recurrent cancers
- Coma lasting for more than 30 days
- Newborns with fatal congenital or genetic defects
- Chronic pulmonary or heart failure requiring continuous oxygen
- Dependence on a life-sustaining cardiopulmonary device
- Cancers of the liver, pancreas, esophagus, gallbladder, mesothelioma, AML/ALL leukemia, and brain cancer
How are SSDI payments calculated?
The SSA uses a formula that first considers an individual’s Averaged Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). This averages the income of their highest-earning years and adjusts for inflation.
The formula then calculates 3 percentages of their AIME, and the sum results in the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which serves as the base for potential monthly payments before deductions and adjustments.
Is it possible to receive multiple benefits with SSDI?
Can SSDI denial be appealed?
Individuals whose SSDI claims are denied can file a Request for Reconsideration. Someone with the SSA who was not involved in the initial review will then review their application and either make a new determination or support the original denial.
When reconsideration is denied, individuals can request an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing. Individuals have 60 days to request this hearing after denial. The ALJ will review their case and consider testimonies and new evidence.
If the individual is denied again by the ALJ, they may request an Appeals Council review within 60 days after the denial. They will review the ALJ’s decision and return it for a second review if they feel the individual may qualify for SSDI.
Beyond that, an individual may file a civil action with the U.S. District Court to have their case reviewed. Reconsiderations and time in court are time-consuming, expensive, and often require legal representation, so individuals must ensure they submit all the necessary information for approval with their initial application.