What Social Security Disability Benefits Are
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a monthly payment from the federal government to people 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 — it is based on your work history, not your income.
There is a separate program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for people who have never worked enough to build a work history, or who worked but do not have enough credits. SSI is also for people over 65 with limited income and resources. Both programs 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 age when you became disabled and how much you earned during your working years. The Social Security Administration calculates this based on your actual earnings record. Payments are not the same for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- SSDI requires a work history and Social Security tax payments, while SSI is for people with little or no work history and limited income.
- Your condition must prevent you from working and be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
- The Social Security Administration reviews medical evidence, work history, and your ability to do any kind of work to make a decision.
- Most people are turned down on their first request, and many go through a review process that can take months or years.
- You can work part-time and still receive benefits under certain rules that allow you to test your ability to work.
How the Social Security Administration Decides If You may have access to
The Social Security Administration uses a five-step process to decide whether your condition prevents you from working. First, they check whether you are currently working and earning more than a certain monthly amount (this amount changes each year). If you are earning above that threshold, they will usually deny your request.
Second, they determine whether your medical condition is severe enough to interfere with basic work activities. Third, they check whether your condition matches one of the conditions on the Social Security Administration's list of disabling conditions. If it does, you may be approved without further review. If it does not, they move to the fourth step: they assess whether you can do the work you did in the past 15 years.
Fifth, if you cannot do your past work, they decide whether you can do any other kind of work that exists in the economy, considering your age, education, work experience, and ability to adapt to other jobs. This last step is where many denials happen, because the Social Security Administration may decide that work exists for you even if you have not found it.
What Medical Evidence You Need to Provide
You will need medical records from doctors, hospitals, clinics, or mental health providers who have treated you. These records should show your diagnosis, test results, treatment history, and how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work. The Social Security Administration does not pay for medical exams — you need to gather records from your own doctors.
If you do not have recent medical evidence, the Social Security Administration may send you to a doctor they choose and pay for that exam. However, you should gather as much of your own medical history as possible before you start the process. Records should be dated within the last three months if possible, though older records can help show a long-term pattern.
Mental health conditions, chronic pain, and conditions that come and go are harder to prove than conditions with clear test results. If your condition is one of these, detailed notes from your doctor about how it affects you on a typical day are especially important. Bring records of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and any time you have been unable to work because of your condition.
The Difference Between SSDI and SSI
SSDI is an insurance program — you paid into it through payroll taxes while you worked, and now you are drawing a benefit based on that payment history. SSI is a needs-based program funded by general tax revenue. You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time if you meet the rules for both, though the total payment is usually capped.
The table below shows the main differences between the two programs:
| Feature | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Your work history and Social Security taxes paid | Financial need; little or no work history required |
| Income limit | No limit on other income | Monthly income must be below a set amount |
| Resource limit | No limit on savings or assets | Cannot have more than $2,000 in countable resources |
| Who can receive it | Workers of any age who paid into Social Security | People 65 and older, blind, or disabled with limited income |
| Medicare or Medicaid | may be able to access for Medicare after 24 months of SSDI | Usually may be able to access for Medicaid right away |
What Happens After You Request Benefits
When you request SSDI or SSI, the Social Security Administration sends your case to your state's Disability information Services office. This office reviews your medical records and work history and makes an initial decision. This process usually takes three to five months, though it can take longer if they need more medical evidence.
Most people are denied on their first request. If you are denied, you have the right to ask for a reconsideration, which sends your case to a different examiner. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This hearing is where many people are approved, because you can present your case in person and answer questions about how your condition affects you.
The hearing process can take one to two years from the time you request it. During this time, you can continue to work part-time under the rules described below. If you are approved at any stage, your benefits usually start the month after you became disabled, though there is a five-month waiting period before your first payment arrives.
Working While Receiving Disability Benefits
You can work part-time and still receive SSDI or SSI under a program called a trial work period. During this period, you can earn any amount and still receive your full benefit payment. The trial work period lasts nine months within a rolling 60-month window. You do not have to tell the Social Security Administration in advance — you just report your earnings when you file your annual report.
After your trial work period ends, there is a nine-month period called the extended may be able to access period. During these nine months, you receive your benefit in any month your earnings fall below a certain amount (this amount changes each year). If your earnings go above that amount, you do not receive a benefit that month, but you keep your Medicare or Medicaid coverage.
If you work and your earnings stay above the monthly limit for nine consecutive months, your benefits will stop. However, you can request that your benefits resume if your earnings drop again within five years. This is called a reinstatement. These work incentives exist because the Social Security Administration recognizes that people may be able to work part-time even if they cannot work full-time.
How to Request SSDI or SSI
You can request SSDI or SSI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and medical records showing your condition. If you are requesting SSDI, you will also need your work history and tax records.
If you are requesting SSI, you will need to show proof of your income and resources — bank statements, property deeds, and proof of any other benefits you receive. The Social Security Administration will ask you detailed questions about your medical condition, your work history, your daily activities, and how your condition affects you. Answer these questions as completely as you can, because your answers become part of your case file.
You can ask a family member, friend, lawyer, or non-lawyer representative to help you with your request. If you hire a lawyer, they can charge a fee only if you are approved, and the fee is limited by law. Many lawyers who handle disability cases work on this basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive disability benefits if I have never worked?
You cannot receive SSDI if you have never worked, because SSDI is based on your work history. However, you may be able to receive SSI if you are disabled and have limited income and resources. SSI does not require a work history. If you are under 18, you may also may have access to for SSI based on your parents' income and resources, not your own.
How much money will I receive each month?
The amount varies based on your age when you became disabled and your lifetime earnings. You can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to see an estimate of your benefit amount based on your actual earnings record. The Social Security Administration publishes average payment amounts, but your individual payment depends on your specific work history.
What if I disagree with the decision?
You have the right to appeal any decision. You can request a reconsideration within 60 days of the denial letter. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You can also request a review by the Appeals Council and, if necessary, file a lawsuit in federal court. Each step has a important date, so act quickly if you want to appeal.
Will I lose my benefits if I start working?
Not when ready. You have a nine-month trial work period during which you can earn any amount and keep your full benefit. After that, you enter an extended may be able to access period where you keep your benefit in months when your earnings are below a set amount. Your benefits only stop if your earnings stay above the limit for nine consecutive months.
Can I receive disability benefits for depression or anxiety?
Yes, but you will need medical evidence showing that your condition is severe and long-lasting. This means regular treatment from a mental health provider, documentation of how the condition affects your ability to work, and evidence that you have tried treatment. Many people with depression or anxiety are approved, but many are also denied because the Social Security Administration requires strong evidence that the condition prevents all work.