What "long-term disability" means in Social Security
Long-term disability under Social Security means you receive monthly payments because a medical condition prevents you from working, and that condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Social Security has two programs that pay long-term disability: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The difference between them depends on your work history and income, not on how severe your condition is.
If you worked and paid Social Security taxes, you may be covered by SSDI. If you have little or no work history, or your income and resources fall below certain limits, SSI may be the program available to you. Both programs use the same medical standard to decide who qualifies: whether your condition prevents you from doing any substantial work.
Long-term disability is not the same as short-term disability insurance you might have through an employer. Social Security's definition is stricter, and the process to receive it takes longer. But once you are receiving payments, they continue as long as your condition meets the standard and you report changes in your circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security long-term disability requires a medical condition expected to last 12 months or longer, or result in death, that prevents you from doing any substantial work.
- SSDI is for people with a work history; SSI is for people with little work history or limited income and resources.
- The medical decision process typically takes three to five months, though some cases take longer if you need to provide additional evidence.
- Once approved, you receive monthly payments and may become covered by Medicare (SSDI) or Medicaid (SSI) after a waiting period.
- You must report changes such as returning to work, a change in living situation, or new income, or your payments may stop or be reduced.
How the medical decision works
Social Security does not decide based on a single test or appointment. Instead, a medical examiner reviews your medical records, any new tests Social Security orders, and your description of how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work. The examiner looks for objective medical evidence—test results, imaging, notes from your doctors—not just your statement about pain or fatigue.
The standard is whether your condition prevents you from doing any substantial work, which Social Security defines as earning more than a certain amount per month (in 2024, that amount is $1,550 for non-blind individuals, though this changes yearly). If you can do any work that pays that much, Social Security will likely deny your claim, even if you cannot do your old job.
You do not need to prove you cannot work at all. You need to show that your medical condition, in combination with your age, education, and work skills, prevents you from adjusting to other work. A 58-year-old with a high school diploma and a back injury may have a stronger case than a 35-year-old with the same injury, because age affects how easily someone can retrain.
SSDI: Based on your work history
SSDI requires that you or a family member (parent or spouse) paid Social Security taxes for a certain period. Social Security calls this being "insured." Most people become insured by working and paying taxes for about 10 years, though the exact requirement depends on your age when you became disabled.
If you are insured, SSDI pays you a monthly benefit based on your earnings record. The amount is typically between $800 and $3,800 per month, depending on how much you earned during your working years. Your family members—spouse, children, or parents—may also receive payments based on your record, which can increase the total your household receives but does not increase your own payment.
SSDI has no income or resource limits. You can have savings, own a home, or receive other income without affecting your SSDI payment. However, if you return to work and earn above the substantial gainful activity level, your benefits will stop or be reduced.
SSI: For people with limited work history or resources
SSI is a needs-based program, meaning it is available to people with little or no work history, or to people whose income and resources fall below federal limits. In 2024, the monthly limit for countable resources is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple, though some resources do not count toward this limit (your home, one vehicle, and certain personal items are excluded).
SSI pays a federal benefit amount, which in 2024 is $943 per month for an individual, though many states add a supplement. Unlike SSDI, SSI is not based on your earnings history. The payment is the same whether you never worked or worked for many years but did not earn enough to be insured for SSDI.
If you receive SSI and your income or resources change, your payment changes. If you inherit money, receive a gift, or start earning income, you must report it. SSI also counts income from other sources—unemployment, child support, help from family members—which can reduce or eliminate your SSI payment.
What happens after you are approved
Once Social Security approves your claim, you enter a waiting period before benefits begin. For SSDI, benefits start in the sixth full month after your condition began (Social Security calls this the "onset date"). For SSI, benefits typically start the month after approval. During the waiting period, you receive no payment, but you are building toward coverage under Medicare or Medicaid.
After 24 months of receiving SSDI, you become covered by Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) automatically, even if you are younger than 65. If you receive SSI, you are usually covered by Medicaid when ready or very soon after approval, depending on your state.
Social Security will schedule a work incentive consultation to explain what happens if you return to work. Both SSDI and SSI have rules that allow you to test your ability to work without when ready losing all your benefits. These are called work incentives, and they include a trial work period (SSDI only), extended may be able to access periods, and the ability to set aside income for a plan to achieve self-support.
Reporting changes and staying on benefits
Long-term disability payments continue only if you remain disabled according to Social Security's standard. You must report certain changes within 10 days: if you return to work, if your living situation changes, if you receive new income, or if you move. Failing to report can result in overpayments that you will have to repay.
Social Security also conducts periodic reviews to confirm you still meet the medical standard. For some conditions, these reviews happen every three years; for others, every five to seven years. If your condition improves and you can do substantial work, your benefits will stop. Social Security will notify you in advance and explain your right to request reconsideration if you disagree.
If you return to work, your benefits do not stop when ready. SSDI has a trial work period that allows you to work and earn any amount for nine months without losing benefits. After the trial work period, if your earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity level, benefits stop, but you may be able to use extended may be able to access rules to keep Medicare coverage.
The difference between SSDI and SSI at a glance
| Feature | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Your work history and taxes paid | Financial need |
| Work history required | Yes, typically 10 years | No |
| Income limits | None | Yes, varies by state |
| Resource limits | None | $2,000 individual, $3,000 couple |
| Monthly payment range | $800–$3,800 (based on earnings) | $943 federal, plus state supplement |
| Healthcare coverage | Medicare after 24 months | Medicaid, usually when ready |
| Family members can receive benefits | Yes | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for long-term disability?
The initial decision usually takes three to five months. If Social Security denies your claim and you request reconsideration, that takes another three to five months. If you appeal to an administrative law judge, the wait is typically one to two years, depending on your local hearing office's backlog.
Can I work part-time and still receive long-term disability?
Yes, if you are on SSDI and your earnings are below the substantial gainful activity level ($1,550 per month in 2024). If you are on SSI, you can work, but your payment will be reduced based on your earnings. Both programs have work incentives that allow you to test your ability to work without when ready losing all benefits.
What if my condition improves but I still cannot work full-time?
Social Security's standard is whether you can do any substantial work, not whether you can do your old job or full-time work. If your condition improves enough that you could earn the substantial gainful activity amount, your benefits will stop, even if you are not yet working at that level.
Do I have to pay taxes on my disability benefits?
SSDI and SSI benefits are not taxable income for federal tax purposes. However, if you have other income, some of your benefits may become taxable. A tax professional can advise you on your specific situation.
What happens to my benefits if I move to another state?
SSDI benefits follow you to any state. SSI benefits may change if you move, because some states add a supplement to the federal amount. You must report your move to Social Security within 10 days.