How and When to Apply for SSDI

Disability is something most of us don’t even want to consider. Unfortunately, it’s far more common than one might think. According to the Social Security Administration, the average 20-year-old worker has a 25% chance of developing a disability before reaching retirement age. Fortunately, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be an option for those experiencing a disabling condition severe enough to interfere with their ability to work.

If you’ve recently found yourself unable to work due to a disability, you are eligible to apply for SSDI. Here, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about applying for a Social Security disability benefit, including what factors determine if you’re eligible to receive disability benefits, how to apply, and what to do if you’re rejected.

Are you wondering whether you should apply for Social Security Disability Insurance? If you feel that your medical condition disables you to the point where it interferes with your ability to work normally at your job, applying for SSDI could be the right decision for you.

SSDI includes two main components that you may benefit from: 

• Cash benefits: Social Security will pay monthly benefits to you and certain family members if you qualify.
• Health coverage: Once you have been enrolled in SSDI for 24 months, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare—even if you’re under 65.

If you’re unable to work because of your health condition, having health coverage for proper medical care can be a huge relief.

There are several situations in which you should NOT apply for Social Security disability insurance. These include:

• Your medical condition is expected to last less than a year and is not expected to result in your death.
• Your physician does not believe your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working.
• You can earn $1,620 per month, or $2,700 if you are blind, regardless of your health condition.

Am I Eligible for SSDI? 

Before you learn how to apply for SSDI, you must confirm that you’re eligible for benefits. To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must meet two main criteria: 

• You have a mental or physical condition that meets the Social Security Administration’s medical definition for disability. 
• You have worked long enough—and recently enough—to satisfy the SSA’s income qualifications.

What is the SSA’s Medical Definition for Disability? 

The Social Security Act has a very strict definition of disability. For a disability determination to be made:

1. You must be unable to do any substantial work because of your medical condition(s).
2. Your medical condition has lasted (or is expected to last) for one year or longer, or is expected to result in your death. 

The Social Security Administration defines “substantial work” as “Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA). SGA is based on how much you can earn. These thresholds change each year. In 2026, SGA is defined as earning more than $1,690 per month, or $2,830 if you’re legally blind.

Being unable to work means that your physical health condition or mental illness will cause you to be absent at least 10 percent of the time or unproductive at least 15 percent of the time. You would likely lose your job under either of these circumstances. 

How Much Do You Need to Work to Qualify? 

One of the most important factors to consider when figuring out how to apply for SSDI is whether you’ve worked enough hours to qualify. Unfortunately, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. 

The amount of time you must work to be eligible for Social Security benefits depends on your age. It is based on work credits earned each year you work. For example, someone under 28 may need to work only 1.5 years to qualify, whereas a 60-year-old would need to work 9.5 years to qualify.

You can check the Social Security website to find out how many hours you must have worked, but here is a basic rundown of credits:

• Under 24 years of age – You will need to have worked for at least 1.5 years and earned six or more work credits.
• 24 to 30 years of age – You will need to have worked for 2 to 4.5 years and earned 8 to 18 work credits.
• 31 to 42 years of age – You will need to have worked for five years and earned 8 to 20 work credits.
• 42 years of age and up – After the age of 42, the necessary work credits increase by 2 every 2 years. This means if you’re 44 years of age, you will need 22 work credits; if you’re 46 years old, you will need 24 work credits, and so on.

Other Factors Taken into Consideration to Determine Eligibility 

There are several other factors the Social Security Administration will consider when determining your eligibility. These include the following: 

• Current work status. If you’re currently working and your monthly earnings exceed the defined SGA income range, you generally won’t qualify for disability. However, if you are no longer working or have reduced to part-time hours, you are more likely to qualify.
• The severity of your health condition. For your medical condition to be considered severe enough to qualify as a disability, it must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities. These include standing, lifting, walking, sitting, and remembering.
• Medical condition meets a listing. The SSA maintains a list of physical and mental health conditions the agency considers severe enough to prevent individuals from performing gainful activity. To qualify for disability, your health condition must meet or be equal to the SSA’s guidelines for medical conditions that qualify for disability benefits.
• Inability to perform past work. Another factor Social Security will consider is whether your medical disability prevents you from doing the work you did in the past. If you cannot do that work, the agency will also consider whether your age, past work experience, and education qualify you to perform any other type of work. If not, you will be considered disabled.

What is SSDI Based On? 

Unfortunately, the amount you’ll receive from Social Security disability will not be equivalent to what you earned at your job. Payments can range from about $800 to about $3,000 per month, with the average payment for an individual being $1,580 per month.

How is Your Disability Income Determined? 

It’s important to note that the severity of your disability does not affect the amount you receive each month.

The amount of disability benefits you’ll be entitled to receive is based on your work history. The Social Security Administration determines the amount based on your work credits and average lifetime earnings before your disability. It is based on the earnings from jobs you worked at where your employer withheld Social Security tax. (If you were self-employed, it is based on the self-employment tax amount).

The SSA does have online calculators to help you determine how much you’re entitled to based on your work history.

Several types of income may reduce the disability benefits you’re eligible for. This includes: 

• Workers’ compensation. 
• Public disability benefits. 
• Pensions (including government and foreign pensions).

Remember that your child may also be eligible for disability benefits. If your child developed a disability before age 22, they may be eligible to receive SSDI benefits. This is considered a “child’s benefit” because the amount they can receive is based on your earnings. 

What Does the SSA Consider a Disability?

Before we tell you how to apply for SSDI, you might wonder whether your condition qualifies as a disability. Although many conditions can make you eligible, some of the most common conditions that may lead to an approved disability determination being made include the following: 

• Blood disorders (bone marrow failure, hemophilia, and sickle cell anemia).
• Cancer (stage 4 or terminal)
• Cardiovascular illnesses (heart failure, congenital heart disease, and arrhythmia)
• Chronic kidney disease (requiring dialysis treatments).
• Cognitive and mental health conditions (autism, bipolar disorder, dementia, depression, intellectual disabilities, and schizophrenia).
• Congenital disorders (Down Syndrome).
• Digestive system disorders (bowel or liver disease).
• Endocrine disorders (diabetes and thyroid disorders).
• Immune system diseases (HIV/AIDS, lupus, and inflammatory arthritis).
• Musculoskeletal system problems (amputation, chronic joint pain, and spinal disorders).
• Neurological disorders (ALS, epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injuries).
• Respiratory illnesses (asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis).
• Skin disorders (burns, dermatitis, and ichthyosis).
• Special senses and speech (impaired hearing, sight, or speech).

Remember that these are just some of the most common conditions that may qualify for disability benefits. Even if your health condition isn’t on this list, it doesn’t mean you’re not eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. 

If there’s enough medical evidence to prove that your condition is severe enough to prevent you from participating in gainful employment, it’s worth filing a disability claim. 

What is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI? Can You Get Both?

Although these are both disability programs offered by Social Security, there is a difference in the eligibility requirements.

To qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must be at least 65 years of age, disabled, and have limited income and financial resources. Unlike SSDI, you can receive SSI even if you’ve never worked.

How to apply for SSDI and SSI also differ. To apply for SSI benefits, you must go to your local Social Security office or apply over the phone.

Can you get both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance at the same time? Yes, you actually can. You can recieve concurrent benenfits from both programs.

While it is possible to receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time, this is where things get complicated. 

Social Security counts your SSDI payment as part of your countable income. Whether you qualify for concurrent SSI and SSDI benefits depends on your SSDI payment amount, other income, living arrangements, and available resources. Therefore, if your SSDI payment, combined with your other countable income, exceeds $2,019, you wouldn’t be eligible for Supplemental Security Income. 

Because SSDI payments tend to be higher than SSI benefits, you might not qualify for both.

How Do I Apply for SSDI?

Are you wondering how to apply for SSDI? You can visit the nearest Social Security field office, apply for benefits by phone, or apply online.

The SSA website offers Social Security disability application forms online, so you can apply from the comfort of your home.

You will need a few pieces of information when filing your claims. When you apply for disability benefits online, you will need to know the following:

• Your birth date, place of birth, Social Security number, and contact information.
• The name, birth date, and Social Security number of your current spouse or any former spouse, as well as dates of marriage, divorce or death (if applicable).
• Names and birth dates of any minor children.
• Your bank account information (routing and account numbers) if you want your payments to be delivered electronically.
• Detailed information about the medical conditions you are applying for, including the names of any physicians, clinics, hospitals, and other public health care facilities, as well as patient ID numbers and dates of any medical treatments.
  • Be sure to include any facility where you received rehabilitation, vocational, or mental health services. Be sure to include any documentation from social services, human services, and child or adult protective services.
• The names of any medications you are currently taking and the names of the physicians prescribing them.
• A list of any medical tests you’ve had performed and the name of the physician(s) who ordered them.
• The amount of money you have earned over the past two years.
• The names and addresses of your employer(s) over the past two years, as well as a list of jobs you’ve had over the past 15 years before you cannot work. 
• A copy of your Social Security statement.
• Information on any Workers’ Compensation or similar benefits you may have applied for.

In addition to having this information available when you apply for disability through the Social Security website, you may also be asked to provide copies of these documents: 

• Birth certificate.
• Proof of United States citizenship or lawful alien status.
• U.S. military discharge papers (if you served before 1968).
• W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns for the previous tax year, and any other documents proving your income.
• Recent medical reports, including doctors’ reports and test results. Test results may include lab work, CT scans, x-rays, ultrasounds, etc.
• Proof of Workers’ Compensation or similar benefits.

Once you have figured out how to apply for SSDI and file online, your application will be sent to a Social Security disability determination service in your state, where an agency expert will review your claim. These experts will contact doctors and medical agencies to obtain proof of your condition.

At some point, they will generally reach out to you to follow up and request additional information and documentation regarding your disability claim.

You will have a hearing with a disability hearing examiner. During your Social Security hearing, your case will be given further review. It’s important to keep the facts about your health condition consistent with your medical records during this hearing.

There are several ways a Social Security disability hearing can be conducted: through a video chat platform, over the phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. Video calls or phone calls are preferable, as in-person Social Security hearings take longer to schedule.

Once a disability determination has been made, you will receive a letter. If your application was denied, you will receive a letter explaining why and how to proceed.

What Should I Know Before Applying for SSDI?

There are several things to remember when applying for Social Security Disability Insurance. Here are some key points to keep in mind: 

• You should apply for coverage as soon as you become disabled. There is a five-month waiting period before eligible individuals will receive benefits, so you will not receive payments until the sixth month. The SSDI waiting period begins the first full month after your disability is determined to have begun. This means the sooner you apply for SSDI and begin the disability application process, the sooner you will be able to receive benefits if you’re approved. If you have been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), there is no waiting period.
• Your doctor’s opinion alone isn’t enough to qualify you for disability. Medical eligibility is only one part of the process used to determine whether you are entitled to disability benefits.
• Having medical documentation is important. In fact, it is the most important factor in determining your medical eligibility. Before filling out your initial application, it’s important to have as much information as possible about the doctors you’ve seen, the medical facilities you’ve visited, and the procedures, tests, and treatments you have undergone with your condition.
• The review process generally takes three to five months. The time it takes to decide on your eligibility for SSDI is based on how long it takes to receive medical records and any other evidence confirming your condition.

What If My Application is Rejected?

It’s every disability applicant’s biggest fear: you’re waiting patiently for your application to be processed, and rejection worries are on your mind. The unfortunate reality is that rejections do happen. We know it can be frustrating to hear this, but the harsh reality is that your application will most likely be denied. In fact, an estimated 65 percent of first-time applications are denied.

Being denied disability benefits can be very discouraging. If you have been denied coverage, you might wonder how to apply for SSDI after being rejected. The good news is that you can appeal the decision. This is important. Filling out a second application will likely result in another rejection—you must appeal the decision.

That said, it’s important to understand some of the most common reasons Social Security denies benefits. These include:

• Not providing enough medical evidence. Having strong medical documentation confirming that your medical condition prevents you from working is important. 
• Earning too much money. SSDI benefits won’t be approved for people who continue to work regularly because this shows the applicant can still work despite their condition.
• Noncompliance with medical treatment. If the applicant is not complying with a doctor’s medical determination for treatment, they will generally be denied any disability benefit. Noncompliance makes it impossible to determine whether the applicant is disabled.
• Failing to cooperate. If the Social Security Administration requests additional information or documentation and you don’t provide it promptly, your disability claim will be denied.

If you have received a rejection letter and decide to appeal, it’s important to make sure that you correct whatever errors that prevented you from being approved for benefits. This generally means making sure the proper documents are provided.

Sometimes, a rejection occurs because you simply are not eligible. For example, you will be denied coverage if your disability is not expected to last longer than 12 months. If you earn too much money, you will also be denied. In these cases, how you apply for SSDI doesn’t matter, since you are not actually eligible to receive disability benefits.

Although receiving a rejection letter can be frustrating, keep in mind that it is extremely likely that your first attempt to apply for Social Security disability will be denied. It might surprise you that disability appeals are more likely to be approved than initial applications. 

What Will Give Me the Best Chances of Approval? 

You can take several steps to increase your chances of being accepted.

To increase the odds of an approved disability determination, it’s important to ensure that you have the correct medical documents. Social Security wants to review all doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other facilities where you have received testing, diagnoses, and treatment. Your medical records should also be consistent with anything you state during a hearing or a review of your case.

Claimants can also increase their odds of approval by making sure they meet the income requirements for disability. If you haven’t worked enough hours in recent years, the odds of receiving a rejection are higher.

Additionally, it’s important to consider your current work status. If you are still working and earning more than Social Security’s income threshold for those receiving disability benefits, you should reconsider your decision to apply. It’s best to apply after you’ve stopped working or have significantly reduced your work hours due to your disability.

Because a Social Security disability rejection can be devastating, it’s important to ensure you have all your ducks in a row before applying. 

You might also consider hiring a disability lawyer. They can help you figure out how to apply for SSDI and ensure you have enough medical documentation to increase your chances of approval. A disability lawyer can also help you appeal the decision if you’ve already been rejected.

Check us out at Benefits.com and take our quiz so we can get started helping you on your path to receiving benefits.