A disability can be mental or physical. The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly payments if a disabling condition prevents you from working or working full-time. Unlike the SSI application, SSDI does not have a resource restriction to qualify. But you must still meet the work credit requirement.
You can earn up to four work credits a year, one per quarter. You must earn at least the minimum requirement for that year to receive the credit. Once you have 40 credits (about 10 years of working), you qualify for SSA benefits.
Nonetheless, younger workers may still qualify for disability benefits if they have enough work credits based on their age. For example, individuals younger than 24 who earned six credits in the three years before becoming disabled qualify for SSDI benefits.
The work credit rules for age are:
- Before 24 years of age – 6 credits earned in the three years before the disability
- 24 to 31 years of age – half the time between 21 years of age and age when disabled
- 24 – 6 credits in the past three years
- 25 – 8 credits in the past four years
- 26 – 10 credits in the past five years
- 27 – 12 credits in the past six years
- 28 – 14 credits in the past seven years
- 29 – 16 credits in the past eight years
- 30 – 18 credits in the past nine years
- 31+ – 20 credits in the past 10 years
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must be either a U.S. citizen, national, or qualifying legal resident. Your residence must also be in the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Supplement Security Income program gives qualified applicants monthly payments to cover basic needs, like food and shelter. Even if you qualify for SSDI benefits, you may not be eligible for SSI payments. You must also meet requirements pertaining to income and resources, such as things you own and bank accounts.
If you are single, your resources must be worth less than $2,000. As a married couple, your joint resources must not be worth more than $3,000.
The amount of your SSI benefits will depend on where you live, if you have other sources of income, and your household’s income. For example, you may receive a lower amount if you have a pension or a spouse with an income. Some states add money to federal SSI payments, so you can have a higher amount just because of where you live.
You can apply for benefits from SSDI, SSI, and the Social Security retirement program. Depending on your age at disability, you may want to wait before applying for retirement benefits.
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