What is SSDI? SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, is a federal program that provides financial support and healthcare coverage to individuals who are unable to maintain employment due to a serious medical condition.
In this article, we’ll explain more about what SSDI is, how to qualify, how to apply, and other important details.
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(812) 426-7202
In this article about what SSDI is:
What is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program funded by payroll taxes. It provides monthly cash benefits and Medicare healthcare coverage to individuals with a qualifying disability that prevents them from working.
Almost 9 million Americans receive SSDI benefits, with total payments reaching nearly $13 billion.
How do you qualify for SSDI
To qualify for SSDI, you must meet two basic requirements:
- You must earn work credits and Social Security coverage by working long enough
- You must have a disability that meets the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) criteria
However, those aren’t the only requirements you need to qualify for disability benefits. Other key requirements to qualify include:
- You must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
- You must be unable to perform any of your past relevant work.
- You must have a medical condition that significantly limits your ability to work.
- Your condition must last at least 12 months or be likely to result in death.
- You must be unable to adjust to any other type of work based on your age, education, and experience.
SGA is the level of work a person would have to do to earn a living wage. The SSA considers work “substantial” when you perform physical, mental, or combined activities. Meanwhile, the SSA considers work “gainful” if you do it for pay, profit, or with the intent to make a profit.
In addition to meeting the SSA’s definition of disability, you also need to have worked long enough and recently enough, while paying into Social Security through payroll taxes.
Your eligibility for Social Security benefits is based on work credits, which you earn through your yearly wages. You can earn up to four credits per year, and in some cases, you can earn all four in just part of the year.
In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,810 in covered earnings. To get the yearly maximum of four credits, you’ll need to earn $7,240.
Most people need 40 credits to qualify for benefits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years. However, this can vary depending on your age. You may be eligible for benefits if:
- Before age 24, you have six credits earned in the three years before your disability starts
- Age 24 to 31, you worked half the time between age 21 and the time your disability began
- Age 31 or older, you have at least 20 credits in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled
Medical insurance for SSDI
If the SSA approves your SSDI benefits, it will automatically enroll you in Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. However, if you have a condition that qualifies for Compassionate Allowances, such as ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), you can skip the waiting period and begin receiving Medicare coverage as soon as your SSDI benefits start.
Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 and older, as well as people under the age of 65 who receive disability insurance, and people with permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant.
There are two parts to Medicare: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Most people won’t have to pay for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough while working. However, most people pay monthly for Medicare Part B, and the amount you pay for this coverage can change each year. For more information about Medicare plans, click here.
What is the SSDI payment schedule?
The SSA issues SSDI payments once a month on a staggered schedule tied to your birthday. Once your benefits begin, you’ll receive your monthly payment by direct deposit on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month.
| Birthday | Benefits will be paid on |
|---|---|
| 1st through the 10th | The second Wednesday of the month |
| 11th through the 20th | The third Wednesday of the month |
| 21st through the 31st | The fourth Wednesday of the month |
The amount you receive in monthly disability benefits depends on your past income and any other disability resources you may have. It can also vary slightly by state.
As of February 2025, the average monthly SSDI payment was about $1,751, with a maximum benefit of approximately $4,018.
How do you apply for SSDI?
Filing an SSDI application typically takes one to two hours, and there are several ways you can submit it:
- Online through the SSA website
- By phone at 800-772-1213
- By mail (this option takes longer to process)
- In person at your local Social Security office
- With help from an attorney or advocate
As of 2025, the average wait time for an initial decision is about 7.5 months, or roughly 230 days. If your claim is denied and you appeal, the process can take six months or longer.
To minimize delays, it’s best to submit your SSDI application as early as possible.
How Woods & Woods can help
Having a disability shouldn’t mean losing your peace of mind. At Woods & Woods, we help individuals with disabilities connect with legal help. If you’re seeking SSDI benefits, call us today for a free case evaluation.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7202
Frequently asked questions
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to people who can’t work due to a severe medical condition. Workers fund SSDI through payroll taxes, and to qualify, you must have an eligible disability and enough work credits from your past employment.
If the SSA approves your SSDI, it automatically enrolls you in Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. However, if you have a condition that qualifies under the Compassionate Allowances program, like ALS, you may get Medicare coverage right away.
Lori Underwood
Lori Underwood received her law degree from Northern Kentucky University. She previously practiced Social Security disability and personal injury law and was a juvenile court attorney.
She has been an attorney at
Woods & Woods since 2014.
