You Must Have a Qualifying Work History

To be eligible for SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits by paying into Social Security through payroll taxes (FICA). In general:

• You earn 1 work credit for every $1,730 in wages or self-employment income (as of 2024).
• You can earn up to 4 credits per year.
• Most people need 40 credits total, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled.
• Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits based on age.

You Must Have a Severe Medical Condition

The SSA defines a disability as a condition that:

• Prevents you from working in any substantial gainful activity (SGA)
• Has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death

Your condition must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities, such as walking, sitting, lifting, remembering, or concentrating.

Your Condition Must Be in the SSA’s List or Equivalent in Severity

The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments (often called the “Blue Book”), which includes medical conditions that automatically qualify for disability if specific criteria are met. Examples include:

• Certain cancers
• Severe musculoskeletal disorders
• Neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis)
• Mental health disorders (e.g., depression, PTSD, schizophrenia)

Even if your condition is not listed, you can still qualify if it's medically equivalent in severity and well-documented.

You Must Not Be Engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

To be considered disabled, you cannot be earning more than a certain monthly amount, known as the SGA limit:

• In 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550/month for non-blind individuals and $2,590/month for blind individuals.

If you earn more than these amounts, the SSA may determine that you’re not disabled, regardless of your condition.

You Must Prove You Cannot Perform Any Work

Even if you can't return to your previous job, the SSA will evaluate whether you can do any other type of work, considering your:

• Age
• Education
• Work history
• Transferable skills

The SSA uses a 5-step evaluation process to determine disability, and this includes looking at your ability to adjust to other work.

Your Medical Evidence Must Be Thorough and Consistent

You’ll need strong documentation to support your SSDI claim, including:



• Medical records from doctors, clinics, and hospitals
• Diagnostic tests, lab results, and treatment history
• A residual functional capacity (RFC) form from your doctor, explaining how your condition limits your ability to work

Without adequate medical evidence, your claim may be denied—even if you're truly unable to work.