1. What Is SSDI?

SSDI is a federal disability program providing monthly benefits to individuals who:

• Have a qualifying medical condition that prevents substantial work
• Have worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to earn sufficient work credits

Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SSDI eligibility is not based on income or asset limits but rather your work history and disability status.

2. Basic SSDI Eligibility Criteria in New York

a. Work Credits

To qualify for SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits through jobs covered by Social Security. In general:

• You earn one credit for each $1,730 in earnings (as of 2024)
• You can earn up to four credits per year
• Most applicants need at least 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled

Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits, depending on their age at the time of disability.

b. Qualifying Disability

Your medical condition must meet SSA’s definition of disability:

• Prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is work that earns above a certain monthly amount ($1,550 per month for non-blind individuals in 2024)
• Must be severe, meaning it significantly limits basic work activities
• Must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death

c. Condition Meets or Equals SSA Listings

SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments (Blue Book) that outlines specific medical conditions and severity criteria. While you can qualify if your condition does not match a listing exactly, it must limit your residual functional capacity (RFC) to the extent that you cannot perform any past work or adjust to other work in the national economy.

3. Five-Step Disability Evaluation Process

SSA uses a standardized five-step process to determine disability:

1. Are you working above SGA levels? If yes, you are not considered disabled.
2. Is your condition severe? It must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities.
3. Does your condition meet or equal a listing? If yes, you will be considered disabled.
4. Can you perform past relevant work? If you can, you are not disabled.
5. Can you adjust to other work? Considering age, education, and work experience, if you cannot adjust to other work, you are considered disabled.

4. Special SSDI Eligibility Considerations

a. Blind or Low Vision Applicants

For individuals who are blind or have low vision, SSA has different work credit requirements and higher SGA thresholds, increasing chances of approval.

b. Disabled Adult Child Benefits

If you became disabled before age 22 and a parent is deceased or receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you may qualify for SSDI based on their work record.

c. Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits

If you are over age 50, disabled, and your deceased spouse worked long enough under Social Security, you may qualify for SSDI survivor benefits based on their earnings record.

5. Required Documentation for SSDI Eligibility in New York

To prove eligibility, you must provide:

• Proof of age and identity (birth certificate, state ID)
• Work history records (W-2 forms, tax returns, SSA earnings statement)
• Detailed medical documentation, including diagnosis, treatment history, test results, and doctor’s statements explaining how your condition limits your ability to work
• Information on prior employment, job duties, and skills

6. How to Strengthen Your SSDI Application

• Maintain consistent medical care with detailed treatment records
• Obtain written statements from your doctors outlining specific work-related limitations
• Be honest about your symptoms and daily functional limitations
• Consult with a disability attorney or advocate if your case is complex or if you have been denied in the past