Work History Requirements

SSDI is an earned benefit, meaning you must have a history of working and paying Social Security taxes. This is measured in work credits:

• You earn up to 4 credits per year.
• Most adults need at least 20 credits earned in the last 10 years.
• Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits depending on their age when they became disabled.

To check your work credits, you can log into your account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Medical Eligibility Requirements

To qualify medically for SSDI, you must meet all of the following:

• You have a medically determinable physical or mental condition.
• The condition has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or result in death.
• Your condition prevents you from doing your past work or adjusting to other work.
• Your impairment must be severe and significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities.

SSA uses a five-step evaluation process to determine if your disability meets their criteria.

Listing of Impairments (Blue Book)

SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, often referred to as the Blue Book, which outlines medical conditions that are automatically considered disabling if specific requirements are met. These include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Respiratory illnesses
• Neurological disorders
• Mental disorders (e.g., depression, PTSD, schizophrenia)
• Cardiovascular conditions
• Immune system disorders

Even if your condition isn’t listed, you may still qualify by showing it limits your ability to work.

Additional Requirements in Virginia

Although SSDI is a federal program, claims in Virginia are processed by the state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) agency. You must:

• Cooperate with requests for medical records
• Attend consultative exams if scheduled
• Provide full and accurate information about your medical condition and work history

Failing to respond to SSA or DDS requests can result in a denial.

What If You Don’t Meet the SSDI Requirements?

If you don’t qualify for SSDI, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources. SSI doesn’t require work history.