Understanding the Basics
One common misconception is that you must be out of work for a certain period—like six months or a year—before you can apply for disability benefits through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). In reality, there's no required waiting period to apply. You can submit an application as soon as a medical condition prevents you from performing substantial work.
While there's no required waiting period to apply, you must meet what’s called the "durational requirement" to be approved. This means that your disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. If you stop working and recover or return to work in fewer than 12 months, you likely will not qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits.
For example, if you leave your job due to a medical condition in January but return to substantial work by June, you haven't met the 12-month threshold.
Applying While Working: What You Should Know
Filing for disability while you are still working can complicate your case. It raises questions about how your condition affects your ability to maintain employment. That said, some individuals apply while still employed because they are struggling with reduced hours, missed workdays, or receiving workplace accommodations. If this describes you, make sure to include:
- Medical documentation of your limitations
- A record of missed work due to your health
- Any workplace accommodations or reduced duties
These details can help Social Security evaluate whether your work attempt was unsuccessful due to your disability.
How Working Affects Your Back Pay
Your disability onset date—the date Social Security determines your disability began—impacts your eligibility and back pay. If you tried working before fully stopping, but your attempt failed due to your condition, this may be considered an "unsuccessful work attempt." In this case, your onset date could be earlier than your last day at work, increasing the amount of back pay you're eligible to receive.
How Much Work Do You Need to Qualify for SSDI?
To qualify for SSDI, your eligibility is based on your work history and the number of work credits you've earned. The number of credits required depends on your age:
- Most workers need to have worked at least 5 out of the last 10 years.
- Younger applicants may qualify with fewer credits. For example:
- Under 24: You need 6 credits in the 3 years before your disability.
- Ages 24–31: You need credits for about half the time since you turned 21.
Credits are calculated based on your total wages or self-employment income.
You also must have worked recently to qualify for SSDI. If you worked in your youth but took six years off—for example, to raise a family—you may no longer qualify.
Qualifying When You Have Not Worked
If you haven't worked enough to qualify for SSDI, you may still qualify for SSI. This program is designed for people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, SSI doesn't require work history. Instead, the Social Security Administration will evaluate your financial need, including your current income and assets.
Medical Requirements for Both SSI and SSDI
Whether you're applying for SSDI or SSI, you must meet the same medical qualifications. This typically means:
- Meeting a listing in the SSA’s Blue Book, which outlines medical conditions that qualify for benefits
- Providing medical records, test results, doctors’ notes, and treatment histories that match the listed criteria
If your condition isn’t listed or doesn’t meet a Blue Book listing, you may still qualify through a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment. This form, completed by your doctor, describes your symptoms and how they limit your ability to work—such as how long you can sit or stand, how much you can lift, and whether you can complete tasks reliably.
The RFC can demonstrate that your condition prevents you from working in your trained field—or from doing any other work at all.
Can You Get Disability If You Are Unemployed?
Yes, you can get disability even if you're currently unemployed. However, to qualify for SSDI, you must have worked recently and earned enough work credits before your disability began. Generally, this means:
- Earning 20 credits in the last 10 years before your disability
- For younger workers, the number of required credits is lower and based on age
Even if you’ve been unemployed for a while, if you earned enough credits before you stopped working, you might still qualify.
Getting Help With Determining If You Worked Enough
Not sure whether you qualify? Why not contact us to review your case and help with the application. You can also complete a free evaluation form online to find out if you meet the requirements.
We can help you estimate your potential monthly benefit amount.
Why Returning to Work Might Still Be the Best Path
Even though SSI and SSDI offer vital support, returning to work often leads to greater long-term stability. Programs like Ticket to Work help people with disabilities explore employment while protecting their benefits. Trial work periods, extended eligibility, and medical coverage continuations give you time to adjust and grow.
Being off work for 12 months is not required before applying—but your condition must be expected to last that long to be approved. You can apply right away if your medical impairment prevents you from working. Be prepared to provide strong documentation of your condition and your work history or financial need.