Frequently Asked Questions

To qualify for SSDI, you must have a medical condition that prevents you from performing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You must also have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to have accumulated the required work credits. The specific number of credits depends on your age when you became disabled. If you do not have sufficient work credits, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which has different eligibility requirements.

It depends on how much you are earning. For 2026, the Substantial Gainful Activity limit is $1,690 per month for non-blind applicants. If your earnings are at or above that threshold, the SSA will deny your claim at the first step of the evaluation before reviewing any medical evidence. If you are working below that amount, you can still apply, but your earnings and work activity will be part of the evaluation.

Not by itself. The SSA does not approve claims based on diagnosis alone. What matters is how your condition limits your ability to perform specific work-related activities on a sustained, full-time basis. Two people with the same diagnosis can receive different outcomes depending on how their conditions are documented and how they affect their functional capacity. A strong claim includes detailed medical evidence of functional limitations, not just a diagnosis.

Initial applications currently take an average of around seven to eight months for a decision, and many run longer depending on state and SSA office workload. If your application is denied and you appeal, the process extends significantly. Reconsideration typically takes three to six months, and scheduling a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge currently averages around 342 days from request to hearing. The full process from application to ALJ decision can take two to three years or more in many cases.

No. You can apply as soon as your condition prevents you from working, as long as your doctor expects it to last at least 12 months. The SSA can find you disabled based on expected duration, not just how long you have already been out of work. Waiting unnecessarily delays the start of your potential benefits and back pay. File as early as possible.