Learn About SSDI and Social Security Disability

What Is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

Social Security Disability Insurance, commonly called SSDI, is a federal insurance program that provides monthly payments to people with disabilities who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. Unlike other disability programs, SSDI is based on your work history and the taxes you've contributed to Social Security during your working years.

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The program was created in 1956 as part of the Social Security Act. It operates on the principle that workers who become disabled—and cannot work—should have access to benefits based on the earnings record they've built. As of 2024, approximately 8.1 million people receive SSDI payments, with an average monthly benefit of around $1,350.

SSDI is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), another Social Security disability program. While SSDI is based on your work history, SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Some people receive both programs simultaneously, though the rules about how they interact are complex.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages SSDI and decides who receives benefits. The program covers workers of any age, not just retirees. You can also receive SSDI benefits if you are a dependent child, spouse, or surviving family member of someone who worked and paid into Social Security but became disabled or died.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding whether SSDI or SSI might apply to your situation requires knowing your work history. If you've worked and paid Social Security taxes for several years, SSDI may be relevant to explore. If you have minimal work history, SSI might be the program worth learning about instead.

How Work Credits and Earnings History Factor Into SSDI

To receive SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits through your Social Security taxes. The Social Security Administration tracks these credits based on your annual earnings. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in covered wages or self-employment income, up to four credits per year. This amount adjusts annually based on wage growth.

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Most people need 40 work credits to receive SSDI, which typically means 10 years of work history. However, younger workers may need fewer credits. For example, a worker who becomes disabled at age 24 might need only 12 work credits (three years of work). Workers age 31 and older generally need 20 credits earned in the 10 years before becoming disabled. These rules recognize that younger workers haven't had as much time to build a credit history.

Your specific earnings record matters because the Social Security Administration uses it to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). This is the base amount used to determine your monthly SSDI payment. The calculation is progressive, meaning it replaces a higher percentage of income for lower earners than for higher earners. Someone who earned $30,000 annually will have a different benefit calculation than someone who earned $100,000 annually.

You can view your official earnings record by creating an account on ssa.gov, the official Social Security website. This record shows all the wages or self-employment income reported under your Social Security number for each year you worked. Reviewing this record helps you understand what your benefit amount might be and allows you to catch any errors, such as unreported wages or wages credited to the wrong person.

Practical Takeaway: Check your earnings record on ssa.gov before exploring SSDI further. Errors are relatively rare but do happen. You need to know roughly how many work credits you've accumulated to understand whether SSDI is a program that could apply to your situation.

Understanding the Definition of Disability Under SSDI

The Social Security Administration has a specific legal definition of disability for SSDI purposes. You are considered disabled under SSDI if you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This is a strict definition—having a medical condition or even being unable to work your current job is not enough.

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Social Security uses a five-step process to determine disability. First, they examine whether you are currently working and earning substantial income. In 2024, earning $1,550 or more per month is considered substantial work. If you are earning this amount, you generally cannot receive SSDI. Second, they look at whether your medical condition is severe enough to significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities. Third, they check whether your condition matches the SSA's "Blue Book"—a list of conditions the agency recognizes as potentially disabling.

If your condition matches a Blue Book listing, the fourth and fifth steps may not apply. If it doesn't match, Social Security evaluates your residual functional capacity (RFC). This means they assess what work you can still do despite your limitations. Finally, they consider whether you can perform any other work that exists in the national economy. The entire process focuses on your ability to work, not on your medical diagnosis alone.

Common conditions in the Blue Book include arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, back injuries, mental health disorders, and respiratory conditions. The Blue Book is available on ssa.gov and describes what medical evidence is needed for each condition. However, having a listed condition doesn't automatically result in approval—the SSA still reviews the specifics of your case and the medical evidence you provide.

Practical Takeaway: Document your medical condition carefully and collect all relevant medical records. The SSA will request records from your doctors, hospitals, and specialists. Having organized medical evidence—test results, imaging studies, treatment notes, and doctors' statements about your limitations—strengthens your case significantly.

The SSDI Application and Review Process

The Social Security Administration processes SSDI claims through several stages. You can begin by contacting your local Social Security office, calling the national helpline at 1-800-772-1213, or starting the process through ssa.gov. The initial stage is called the Initial Determination. Social Security sends your claim to your state's Disability Determination Services (DDS) office, which employs disability examiners and medical consultants who review medical evidence and make the initial decision.

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The Initial Determination phase typically takes 3 to 6 months, though timelines vary by state and case complexity. During this time, Social Security may request medical records from doctors and hospitals you've seen. You can speed this process by gathering and providing these records yourself when you start your claim. The DDS examiner assigns your case to a medical consultant who reviews all medical evidence and vocational information to determine whether you meet the disability definition.

Many claims are denied at the Initial Determination stage. In fact, the national approval rate at this stage is approximately 30 to 35 percent. If you receive a denial, you may request reconsideration, which sends your case to a different examiner at the same DDS office. Reconsideration approvals are less common than Initial Determinations. If reconsideration is also denied, you may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Approval rates at the hearing level are significantly higher—typically 60 to 70 percent depending on the judge and region.

Throughout the review process, you have the right to have a representative—such as a Social Security lawyer or nonlawyer representative—assist you. Many representatives work on contingency, meaning they only receive payment if you win your case. Their fee is typically limited to 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from before your approval) or $6,000, whichever is less. Representatives can help gather evidence, prepare for hearings, and present your case more effectively.

Practical Takeaway: Prepare for the possibility of initial denial by staying organized and keeping copies of all submitted documents. If denied, consider consulting with a Social Security attorney or representative who specializes in disability claims, particularly if you proceed to a hearing.

Work Incentives and Continued Work While Receiving SSDI

Social Security offers several work incentives designed to help people receiving SSDI gradually return to work without immediately losing all their benefits. These programs recognize that disability can be variable and that some people may be able to work part-time or in limited capacities while still needing financial support.

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The Trial Work Period (TWP) allows you to test your ability to work without losing SSDI benefits. During a nine-month trial work period within a rolling 60-month window, you can earn any amount without affecting your benefits. Months in which you earn $