How to Know If You Qualify for SSA Disability Benefits If You Can’t Work

SSA disability benefits can provide financial stability when you are no longer able to work.

Understanding SSDI requirements helps anticipate paperwork and avoid rejections.

Your work history and medical condition determine whether you can receive a Social Security disability check.

No one expects to lose their ability to work overnight, but when it happens, Social Security disability benefits can become a crucial resource.

The SSDI program provides monthly payments to people who meet strict medical conditions and have a sufficient work history.

Understanding how eligibility is determined allows you to prepare and know whether you or a family member could receive support when facing a permanent disability.

What are SSA disability benefits and who can receive them?

SSDI is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people between ages 18 and 64 who cannot work due to a severe medical condition. As of July 2025, the average monthly payment was $1,580.

To be eligible, according to the SSA, you must:

Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security.

Have a medical condition that meets the program’s strict definition of disability.

These SSA disability benefits are not based on current income, but rather on work history and the severity of the medical condition.

How your eligibility for a Social Security disability check is determined

The SSA reviews your work credits to decide whether you can receive a Social Security disability check.

Work credits are earned based on annual income:

You can earn up to 4 credits per year.

In 2025, one credit is earned for every $1,810 in wages or self-employment income.

By earning $7,240, you obtain the 4 credits for the year.

For most adults, the 20/40 Rule applies:

You must have 40 total credits, with 20 earned in the 10 years prior to the onset of disability.

Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits, depending on their age.

How does the SSA define a disability?

The SSA applies a strict disability definition before granting benefits, considering:

Whether your condition prevents you from performing any substantial work activity.

Whether you can no longer do the job you performed before.

Whether you can adapt to a new type of job given your limitations.

Whether the condition will last one year or more, or may result in death.

The administration has an extensive list of conditions that automatically qualify. If your condition is not listed, the SSA evaluates whether it is equally severe.

What other support can you receive along with SSDI?

People with very limited income and resources may qualify for SSI, a program that provides minimal financial assistance to older adults and people with disabilities regardless of work history.

American Disability Benefits

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Impact on the Latino community

Many Latino workers perform physically demanding jobs, which increases the risk of injuries or conditions that may limit their ability to work.

Knowing how SSA disability benefits work allows individuals to plan ahead, gather medical documentation, and avoid common mistakes during the application process.

In addition, understanding the difference between SSDI and SSI makes it easier to identify which program to apply for based on financial circumstances.

What comes next

If you believe you may qualify, review your work credit history and gather your medical records.

Being informed before applying can speed up the process and increase your chances of receiving a Social Security disability check.

The SSA emphasizes that its definition is strict, but the program was created specifically to support those who can no longer work for health reasons through SSA disability benefits.