Understanding SSDI Eligibility for Young Adults

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you generally need to have earned enough work credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. Young adults under 25 may still qualify for SSDI, but the number of work credits needed depends on your age at the time of your disability.

• Work Credits for SSDI: You earn work credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. For 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,640 you earn, up to four credits per year.
• How Many Credits Do You Need? Young adults under 24 can qualify for SSDI with as few as 6 credits earned in the past 3 years before becoming disabled. For example, if you are 22 years old, you need to have worked and earned at least 6 credits over the past 3 years.

This is significantly fewer than the typical requirements for older individuals, who need 40 credits with 20 earned in the last 10 years.

Understanding SSI Eligibility for Young Adults

If you don’t have enough work history to qualify for SSDI, you may still qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Unlike SSDI, SSI is based on your financial need, not your work history, so it is available to individuals who meet the SSA’s income and asset limits.

• No Work History Requirement: You do not need a work history to qualify for SSI benefits. However, the SSA will evaluate your income and assets, and if they are below a certain threshold, you may qualify for SSI.
• Financial Need: SSI is designed to help individuals with disabilities who have limited income and resources. For 2025, the monthly income limit for an individual applying for SSI is $914, and the asset limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.

If you are under 25 and have a disability but do not meet the SSDI work credit requirements, SSI may be an option.

Disability Criteria for Young Adults

To be eligible for either SSDI or SSI, you must meet the SSA’s definition of disability. The SSA considers your ability to perform basic work activities. If you are under 25, the SSA will assess the severity of your condition in relation to your age and work history. Here are some important factors the SSA looks at when evaluating young adults:

• Work History and Education: The SSA takes into account your ability to perform work activities based on your education and past job experiences. If your disability prevents you from doing your previous job, the SSA will consider your ability to work in other jobs, based on your skills and education level.
• Severity of Disability: Your condition must prevent you from working or performing basic tasks. For young adults, the SSA may be more lenient about the impact of your disability on your ability to work because they understand that you may have limited work experience. However, you still need to show that your disability is severe and that it limits your ability to engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) (currently $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals).

The SSA's Evaluation Process for Young Applicants

When applying for SSDI or SSI as a young adult under 25, the SSA uses a five-step evaluation process to determine your eligibility:

• Are you working? If you are currently working and earning above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, the SSA will generally deny your claim.
• Is your condition severe? The SSA evaluates whether your condition is severe enough to limit your ability to perform basic work tasks. For young adults, this step is often more flexible due to the limited work history.
• Do you have a listed impairment? If your condition matches one of the SSA’s listed impairments (such as a severe mental or physical condition), you may be automatically approved.
• Can you do your previous work? The SSA will evaluate whether you can still perform your past job, based on your skills and the severity of your disability.
• Can you do other work? The SSA will evaluate whether you can do any other type of work based on your age, education, and work history.

If you are under 25 and have limited work history, the SSA will take these factors into account when determining whether you can perform any other kind of work or if your disability completely limits you from working.

How to Strengthen Your Application

If you’re under 25 and applying for SSD benefits, here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

• Provide Detailed Medical Documentation: Your medical records are crucial in proving the severity of your condition. The more detailed your medical evidence, the better your chances of a successful application.
• Include Statements from Your Doctor: A letter from your doctor describing how your condition prevents you from working can be extremely helpful. If possible, have your doctor provide specific examples of how your disability affects your daily activities.
• Consider Vocational Assessments: If applicable, vocational assessments from medical professionals or vocational experts can demonstrate that you are unable to perform any type of work due to your disability.