Last Updated: 8/5/2025
Managing life with a disability can feel overwhelming, especially when it affects your ability to work and provide for yourself and your family. In more than 40 years, Allsup has helped over 400,000 individuals get SSDI benefits. We have assisted more people in getting approved at the application level than any other SSDI representative nationwide.
The following is a clear guide to understanding how to qualify for SSDI and why representation can be the difference between an approval and lots of frustration leading to a denial.
Who Decides If I Qualify?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will review your medical and work history to decide if you qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
What Are The Medical History Requirements?
To be eligible for SS disability benefits, you must:
- Have an illness, injury or medical condition that will keep you out of work for 12 months or will cause death.
- Be under the care of a medical professional who can confirm the severity of your symptoms and medical condition(s).
- Have worked five of the last 10 years in jobs where you paid Social Security (FICA) taxes.
- Be between 21 and younger than your full retirement age.
What Are The Work History Requirements?
To qualify for SSDI, you must have earned a certain number of work credits. These are accumulated based on your income and the Social Security (FICA payroll) taxes you've paid over time. In 2025, one work credit is earned for every $1,810 in wages. You can only earn four credits per year no matter how much money you make.
The number of credits needed to qualify depends on your age. Generally, most people need at least 40 credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the last 10 years. Younger workers, however, may qualify with fewer credits due to their shorter work histories.
What Conditions Qualify For SSDI?
The Social Security Administration has an entire listing of impairments that qualify. This can include physical disabilities like arthritis, heart disease or musculoskeletal disorders, as well as mental health conditions like depression, anxiety or PTSD.
Veterans who suffer from service-related injuries also are often eligible for SSDI. Allsup can help veterans figure out if they are eligible for both VA and SSDI benefits. If your condition is not included in the SSA’s listing of impairments, don’t worry. Your Allsup representative can help you determine if your condition and the severity of your symptoms qualifies you for SSDI.
Is SSDI for Long- Or Short-Term Disability?
SSDI isn’t awarded for partial or short-term disabilities. The SSA uses a strict definition of disability, meaning that you must be unable to perform “Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA), which in 2025 is defined as earning more than $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals or $2,700 per month for blind individuals. The disability must also be severe enough to interfere with basic work-related activities and must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
What Is Social Security’s Evaluation Process?
The SSA uses a five-step process to determine if you qualify for SSDI:
- Are you currently working? If you’re earning more than the SGA threshold, you’re not considered disabled.
- Is your condition severe? Your disability must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work-related tasks.
- Is your condition on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions? The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify you for SSDI. If your condition isn’t listed, the SSA will determine if your condition is equal to one on the list.
- Can you do the work you previously did? The SSA evaluates whether your disability prevents you from doing the type of work you’ve done in the past.
- Can you do any other type of work? If you can't do your previous work, the SSA will assess whether you can adjust to other work based on your age, education and skills.
How Much Money Will I Get with SSDI?
The average monthly SSDI payment in 2025 is approximately $1,580. However, your benefit amount depends on your lifetime earnings before you were diagnosed with a disability. The SSA uses a structured process to calculate your monthly benefit that factors in your highest-earning years. While $1,580 is the average, the actual benefit can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $4,018 per month for those with high lifetime earnings.
Visit the Allsup SSDI calculator to get an estimate of how much you monthly income you could receive from SSDI. You only need to enter your date of birth and average annual income.
Retroactive Pay (or, Back Pay)
Currently, claims at the initial application level take at least eight to 10 months to process. You will likely receive back pay for the time between your application date and your approval.
Medicare/Medicaid
After 24 months of receiving SSDI benefits, individuals are also eligible for Medicare, which can significantly reduce healthcare costs. Some individuals may also qualify for Medicaid depending on their state's requirements.
