Eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

To qualify for SSDI, you must meet the following criteria:

• Work History: You need to have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a specific number of years, typically 5 out of the last 10 years before becoming disabled. The number of work credits needed depends on your age at the time of disability.
• Severe Disability: Your disability must be severe enough to prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA), meaning you can’t work and earn above a certain threshold.
• Duration of Disability: Your disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Short-term disabilities do not qualify.
• Not Engaged in SGA: If you're still working and earning over a certain amount per month, you may not be eligible for SSDI, as the SSA assumes you can still perform some type of work.

Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is a needs-based program for individuals with limited income and resources. The eligibility criteria for SSI include:

• Income Limit: Your income must be below a certain threshold, which includes wages, Social Security benefits, and other forms of income.
• Resource Limit: You cannot have more than $2,000 in countable resources if you are an individual, or $3,000 if you are a couple. Countable resources include things like cash, bank accounts, and property.
• Severe Disability: Similar to SSDI, you must have a severe disability that prevents you from working or performing daily activities.
• U.S. Residency: You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualifying non-citizen to receive SSI.

General Eligibility Criteria for Both SSDI and SSI

• Medical Condition: Your disability must meet the SSA’s definition of disability, meaning it must prevent you from working and engaging in substantial gainful activity. It must also be expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
• Age: There is no specific age requirement for SSDI or SSI, but the SSA considers your age when determining the likelihood of your ability to work. Older individuals may be judged more leniently if their medical condition prevents them from working.

How to Prove Eligibility

The most important part of the application process is providing medical evidence. This evidence needs to prove that your disability is severe enough to meet the SSA’s definition of disability. Make sure you provide comprehensive medical records, including doctor’s notes, test results, and any other relevant documentation to support your claim.