SSDI is a federal program that pays monthly cash to people who cannot work because of a disability

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program run by the Social Security Administration that sends monthly payments to adults and children who have a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You do not have to be poor to receive SSDI — the program is based on your work history, not your income. If you worked and paid Social Security taxes, you may be may have access to to SSDI if you become disabled.

SSDI is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), another Social Security program. SSI is for people with disabilities who have little or no work history and limited income or resources. This article focuses on SSDI.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI pays a monthly benefit based on your own work record and Social Security taxes you paid while working.
  • You must have a medical condition that prevents substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
  • Family members — including your spouse, ex-spouse, and children — may also receive payments based on your work record.
  • The Social Security Administration reviews your case periodically to confirm you still meet the medical requirements.
  • You can work part-time and still receive SSDI if your earnings stay below a certain monthly amount.

Who can receive SSDI

To receive SSDI, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits. Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before becoming disabled. Younger workers may need fewer credits. The Social Security Administration has a detailed work history requirement, but the basic rule is: the more recent your work, the fewer total credits you need.

Your medical condition must be severe enough that it prevents you from doing substantial work. Social Security has a list of conditions that automatically meet this standard — called the Blue Book — but your condition does not have to be on that list. You can still receive SSDI if your condition is as disabling as one on the list, even if it is not listed.

The condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Temporary disabilities do not may have access to, even if they are severe right now.

How much SSDI pays

Your monthly SSDI payment is based on your lifetime earnings record, not on how disabled you are or how much you need. The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,500 per month, but payments range widely depending on your work history. You can see your estimated benefit amount by creating an account on the Social Security website and viewing your Social Security Statement.

If you are married or have children, they may also receive payments based on your work record. A spouse or ex-spouse can receive up to 50 percent of your benefit amount. Children under 19 (or up to 22 if in high school full-time) can each receive up to 75 percent of your benefit. There is a family maximum — the total amount paid to you and all family members combined — which is usually between 150 and 180 percent of your own benefit.

How to start the SSDI process

You can begin the process by visiting your local Social Security office, calling 1-800-772-1213, or starting an online process on the Social Security website. You will need to provide proof of your age, citizenship or legal residency, and work history. You will also need medical records showing your condition and how it limits your ability to work.

The Social Security Administration will ask for details about your medical treatment, doctors, hospitals, and any medications or therapy you receive. Gather these records before you explore — having them ready speeds up the process. If you do not have all your medical records, Social Security can request them on your behalf, but this takes longer.

You can also ask a lawyer, doctor, or non-lawyer representative to help you with your process. Some representatives work on a contingency fee, meaning they are paid only if you win your case.

What happens after you explore

Social Security sends your process to your state's Disability information Services office, which reviews your medical records and decides whether you meet the program's definition of disability. This process usually takes 3 to 6 months, though it can take longer if Social Security needs more medical evidence.

If Social Security denies your process, you have the right to appeal. You can request reconsideration, ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge, or appeal to the Appeals Council. Many people are denied the first time but win on appeal, especially if they have a representative helping them.

Once you are approved, Social Security will tell you when your payments start. You must report any changes in your medical condition, work status, or living situation. Social Security conducts periodic reviews to confirm you still cannot work.

Working while receiving SSDI

You can work part-time and still receive SSDI payments, as long as your monthly earnings stay below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. In 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind workers and $2,590 for blind workers. These amounts change each year.

Social Security also offers work incentives that let you test your ability to work without losing benefits when ready. The Trial Work Period lets you work for up to 9 months in a rolling 60-month period without any reduction in your SSDI payment, no matter how much you earn. After the Trial Work Period ends, you enter an Extended Period of may be able to access where you can still receive a payment in any month your earnings fall below the SGA limit.

If you return to work and your earnings go above the SGA limit for a sustained period, your SSDI payments will stop. However, you may be able to restart them quickly if you stop working again or if your earnings drop back below the limit.

SSDI and Medicare

After you receive SSDI for 24 months, you become may have access to to Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people over 65 and some people with disabilities. This is true even if you are younger than 65. You do not have to be retired or have a certain income to may have access to.

Medicare has four parts: Part A covers hospital care, Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care, Part D covers prescription drugs, and Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an alternative to Parts A and B offered by private insurers. You will need to decide which coverage works best for you. Some people also may have access to for Medicaid, your state's health program for low-income people, which can help pay Medicare costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get SSDI?

The initial decision usually takes 3 to 6 months. If Social Security denies you and you appeal, the hearing process can take 1 to 2 years. You can receive back pay going back to the month you applied if you eventually win.

Can I get SSDI if I have never worked?

No. SSDI is based on your own work record. If you have never worked or do not have enough work credits, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is a needs-based program for people with disabilities, the blind, and the elderly.

What happens if I go back to work and earn too much?

Your SSDI payments will stop once your earnings exceed the SGA limit for a sustained period. However, you can restart payments if your earnings drop back below the limit. Social Security also has work incentives like the Trial Work Period that protect your benefits while you test your ability to work.

Do I have to report changes to Social Security?

Yes. You must report changes in your medical condition, work status, living situation, or family status. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that you may have to repay. You can report changes online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office.

Can my family members receive SSDI based on my work record?

Yes. Your spouse, ex-spouse, and children may receive payments based on your work record. A spouse can receive up to 50 percent of your benefit, and each child can receive up to 75 percent. There is a family maximum on the total amount paid to all family members combined.