To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must:
Be under age 67 (or your full retirement age)
Have a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months
Be unable to work because of that condition
Have worked a minimum amount of time in the past (explained below)
While this list looks pretty straightforward, applying can be tricky in practice. For many people, the government’s definition of work eligibility—or “minimum work requirements”—is confusing. To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked and paid into the Social Security system for a certain number of years, based on the age when you became disabled.
After age 30, the general rule is that you must have worked at least five of the last ten years. If you’re younger, the requirement is less, since fewer years of working are expected. Our team can help you determine your work history requirements based on when you became disabled.