What Social Security Disability Benefits Are

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that pays monthly cash benefits to adults who have worked and paid Social Security taxes, but can no longer work because of a medical condition. The condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You do not have to be poor to receive SSDI — what matters is your work history and the severity of your condition, not your savings or income.

SSDI is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a needs-based program for people with disabilities who have little or no work history. Both are run by the Social Security Administration, but they have different rules about who can receive them and how much they pay.

The monthly payment amount depends on your earnings record — specifically, how much you paid into Social Security during your working years. The average SSDI payment varies by person and changes each year. Your local Social Security office can estimate what your payment would be if you were found to have a may have access to condition.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI requires a work history: you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years to be found may be able to access.
  • Your condition must prevent you from doing substantial work for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death.
  • The Social Security Administration uses a five-step process to decide whether your condition meets their definition of disability.
  • You can work part-time and still receive SSDI benefits, as long as your earnings stay below a certain monthly amount.
  • Family members may also receive benefits based on your work record, even if you are the only one with a disability.

Who Can Receive SSDI

To receive SSDI, you must meet two basic requirements. First, you must have a work history — you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you became disabled. Generally, younger workers need fewer credits than older workers. You can check your work history and credits by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement.

Second, you must have a medical condition that the Social Security Administration recognizes as a disability. This means the condition must prevent you from doing substantial work — work that pays more than a set monthly amount, which changes each year — and the condition must last at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. The condition does not have to be physical; mental health conditions, intellectual disabilities, and neurological conditions can all may have access to.

You do not have to be unable to work at all. If you can do some work but your condition prevents you from earning above the monthly limit, you may still may have access to. The Social Security Administration looks at what you can do, not just what you cannot do.

How Social Security Decides Your Case

The Social Security Administration uses a five-step process to decide whether you have a disability under their rules. Understanding these steps can help you prepare your case and know what to expect.

Step 1: Are you working? If you are earning more than the monthly substantial work amount, the Social Security Administration will usually deny your case. If you are earning less than that amount or not working, you move to the next step.

Step 2: Is your condition severe? Your condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities like walking, sitting, remembering, concentrating, or communicating. If it does not, your case ends here.

Step 3: Does your condition match the listings? The Social Security Administration publishes a list of conditions that automatically may have access to as disabilities if they meet certain criteria. These are called the Blue Book listings. If your condition matches one of these listings exactly, you may be found disabled without going further. If it does not match, you continue to step 4.

Step 4: Can you do your past work? The Social Security Administration looks at whether your condition prevents you from doing the work you did before. If you can still do that work, your case ends. If you cannot, you move to the final step.

Step 5: Can you do any other work? The Social Security Administration considers your age, education, work experience, and the types of work that exist in the economy. If they find that you can do other work despite your condition, your case is denied. If they find that you cannot do any other work, you are found disabled.

The Medical Evidence You Will Need

Your case is decided based on medical evidence — records from doctors, hospitals, mental health providers, and other medical sources. You do not need to prove your disability through your own testimony alone. The Social Security Administration needs to see objective medical findings and your treatment history.

Start by gathering records from every medical provider who has treated you for your condition. This includes doctors' notes, test results, imaging reports, hospital discharge summaries, and mental health treatment records. If you have been hospitalized, had surgery, or received ongoing treatment, those records are especially important. Bring or send these records to the Social Security Administration as part of your case.

If you do not have recent medical treatment, the Social Security Administration may ask you to see a doctor they select and pay for. This is called a consultative examination. You do not pay for this exam — the Social Security Administration covers the cost. The doctor will examine you and send a report to the Social Security Administration.

You can also submit statements from people who know you well — family members, friends, or caregivers — describing how your condition affects your daily life. These statements, called Function Reports, can help show how your condition limits you in ways that medical records alone might not capture.

What Happens After You Are Found Disabled

Once you are found to have a disability and begin receiving SSDI, your case does not end. The Social Security Administration will review your case periodically to make sure you still meet the definition of disability. How often they review depends on whether your condition is expected to improve. Some conditions are reviewed every three years; others are reviewed less often.

During a review, the Social Security Administration will ask about your medical treatment, any work you have done, and your current condition. If your condition has improved and you can now do substantial work, your benefits may stop. If your condition has not improved, your benefits continue.

You can continue to receive SSDI even if you work part-time, as long as your monthly earnings stay below the substantial work amount. There is also a Trial Work Period that lets you test your ability to work for nine months without losing benefits. After the Trial Work Period ends, there is an Extended may be able to access Period during which you can still receive benefits in months when your earnings are below the limit.

Family Members and Your SSDI Record

If you receive SSDI, your family members may also be able to receive benefits based on your work record. This includes your spouse, ex-spouse (if you were married at least 10 years), and unmarried children under age 19 (or up to age 19 if they are in high school full-time). Adult children who became disabled before age 22 may also receive benefits on your record.

Family members do not have to have a disability to receive benefits. A spouse or ex-spouse can receive benefits at age 62 or older, or at any age if they are caring for a child under age 16 who receives benefits on your record. Children receive benefits until they reach age 18, or age 19 if in high school, or indefinitely if they became disabled before age 22.

The total amount that can be paid to your family on your record is limited. The Social Security Administration calls this the family maximum. It is usually between 150 and 180 percent of your own benefit amount. If your family members' combined benefits would exceed this maximum, each person's payment is reduced proportionally.

How to Start the Process

You can begin the SSDI process by contacting your local Social Security office in person, by phone, or online. To find your local office, visit ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. You can also start your case online at ssa.gov if you create a my Social Security account.

When you contact the Social Security Administration, have ready your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a list of all your medical providers and the dates you saw them. If you have medical records already, bring those too. The Social Security Administration will ask you detailed questions about your work history, your medical condition, and how your condition affects your daily activities.

The process from process to a decision typically takes three to six months, though it can take longer if the Social Security Administration needs additional medical evidence or if your case is complex. If your case is denied, you have the right to appeal. Most people who are initially denied eventually receive benefits after appealing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSDI if I have never worked?

No. SSDI requires a work history and Social Security credits earned through employment. If you have never worked or do not have enough credits, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is a needs-based program that does not require a work history. Contact the Social Security Administration to find out which program you might may have access to for.

What if I was denied SSDI the first time?

You can appeal a denial. You have 60 days from the date you receive the denial notice to file an appeal. Most people who appeal receive benefits on the second or third try. Many people hire a disability lawyer or advocate to help with an appeal, and you only pay them if you win.

Can I work while receiving SSDI?

Yes. You can earn up to a certain monthly amount and still receive full benefits. If you earn more than that amount, your benefits may be reduced or stop. There is also a Trial Work Period that lets you test your ability to work for nine months without any reduction in benefits, which can help you see whether you can sustain employment.

How much will I receive each month?

Your monthly payment is based on your lifetime earnings record. The Social Security Administration can estimate your payment if you contact them. The average SSDI payment is different for each person, and the exact amount depends on how much you paid into Social Security during your working years.

What medical conditions may have access to for SSDI?

Many conditions can may have access to, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, back injuries, mental health conditions, intellectual disabilities, and neurological conditions. The Social Security Administration does not have a single list of conditions that automatically may have access to. Instead, they look at how severe your condition is and how much it limits your ability to work.