Can You Get Disability if You Never Worked?

Securing disability benefits can be a lifeline if a serious medical condition keeps you from working. But what happens if you’ve never worked or don’t have enough work credits?

In this article, we’ll explore your options if you’re disabled and have a limited or no work history. From alternative Social Security programs to benefits you may qualify for based on a family member’s work record, we’ll break down what may still be available to you and how to get started.

Can you get Social Security disability if you never worked?

Generally, no. To be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have worked for at least five of the last 10 years and have 40 work credits on your record. However, people under the age of 24 may not require the full 40 work credits to qualify. 

If you don’t have enough work credits on your record to qualify for SSDI benefits, there are other options. You may qualify for family benefits, which provide monthly payments to certain relatives of Social Security beneficiaries. Family benefits may also be available to recipients of survivor benefits, which provide monthly payments to eligible relatives of people who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died. 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) also has another disability program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is designed for individuals who are disabled and in need of financial assistance, but don’t qualify for SSDI. 

How to get disability benefits through Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is similar to SSDI, but the biggest difference is how you qualify. While SSDI is based on your work history, SSI is a needs-based program. That means your income and financial resources play a major role in whether you’re eligible.

To qualify for SSI, you must:

• Have a limited income and
• Have limited resources (such as money in the bank or certain assets) and
• Be disabled, blind, or age 65 or older

In most cases, individuals who earn less than $2,073 per month from work can qualify for SSI benefits. The income limit is higher for couples and is calculated differently when a parent applies for a child.

It’s also important to know that the SSA doesn’t just look at your paycheck. When determining SSI eligibility, they may count other income sources, such as unemployment benefits, pensions, and certain disability payments.

How to get disability benefits through Social Security family benefits

Family benefits can provide monthly payments to certain relatives of Social Security beneficiaries. You may also hear these referred to as “spousal benefits” or “child benefits.” Depending on your situation, a spouse, ex-spouse, child, or even a grandchild could qualify.

Social Security considers several factors when deciding eligibility, including your age, marital status, and relationship to the worker. If you’re approved, you could receive up to half of your family member’s benefit amount. In some cases, you may also qualify for Medicare based on their work history.

For example, you may qualify as a spouse or ex-spouse if you were married to the worker for at least one year and are 62 or older. You might also qualify at any age if you’re caring for a child who is 15 or younger, or who has a disability. Ex-spouses who were married to the worker for at least 10 years may also be eligible, and in some cases, certain legally recognized non-marital relationships can qualify.

Children can receive benefits if they’re unmarried and under age 18, ages 18–19 and attending K–12 school full time, or any age if they developed a disability at 21 or younger. In some circumstances, benefits may also extend to married children, stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren, and stepgrandchildren, depending on the family’s specific situation.

What if you become disabled before age 21?

If you developed a disability before age 21, you may qualify for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits, even if you’ve never worked.

DAC benefits are based on a parent’s work record. You may be eligible if your parent:

• Receives Social Security retirement or disability benefits
• Is deceased, but worked long enough to qualify

To qualify, you must be unmarried (with limited exceptions) and meet Social Security’s disability requirements. You will also still need to apply for SSDI benefits and file a Child Disability Report. 

If you’re over 18, your disability will be evaluated the same as any adult, and the application will be sent to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) in your state. From there, the DDS will either approve or deny your disability application. 

How to get disability benefits through Social Security survivor benefits

If someone worked and paid into Social Security before they died, certain family members may be eligible for survivor benefits, a type of Social Security payment designed to help replace lost income after a worker’s death. Survivor benefits are separate from SSDI and SSI, and they provide monthly compensation based on the deceased worker’s earnings record.

You may be eligible for survivor benefits if you were the spouse, ex-spouse, child, or dependent parent of the person who worked and paid Social Security taxes. This may include:

• Surviving spouses or ex-spouses: Generally age 60 or older (or age 50-59 if you have a disability), or any age if you’re caring for the deceased worker’s child. Ex-spouses who were married for at least 10 years may also qualify.
• Children: Unmarried children under 18, ages 18–19 and in high school full-time, or any age if they developed a disability at age 21 or younger
• Dependent parents: If you are 62 or older and were financially supported by the deceased worker

Survivor benefits can provide a monthly payment based on the worker’s earnings history, and may also qualify you for Medicare in certain situations. Additionally, there is sometimes a one-time lump-sum death payment available for eligible spouses and minor children.

What requirements do you have to meet? 

Even if you’ve never worked, you must meet Social Security’s definition of disability to qualify for benefits. The medical standard is the same for both SSDI and SSI.

To be approved, your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from working at a substantial level. It must also be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Social Security will review your medical records, treatment history, and any evidence showing how your condition limits your ability to work. In some cases, they may also send you to a consultative exam. Simply having a diagnosis isn’t enough – you must show how your symptoms prevent you from maintaining full-time employment.

Still not sure if you would qualify for SSDI?

Disability benefits can feel confusing, especially if you have a limited work history or have never worked at all. But not having worked doesn’t automatically mean you’re out of options. Between SSI, family benefits, and Disabled Adult Child benefits, there may be a path available to you. Understanding which program fits your situation is the first step.

If you’re unsure where you stand, getting guidance from an SSDI lawyer before you apply can help you avoid delays and mistakes that could hurt your claim.

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.

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