Disability is something most people don’t like to think about. But the chances that you’ll become disabled probably are greater than you realize. Studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 1-in-4 chance of becoming disabled before reaching full retirement age.
For specific information about your situation, you should speak with a Social Security Representative.
SSDI Eligibility
Social Security pays benefits to people who can’t work because they have a medical condition that’s expected to last at least one year or result in death. Federal law requires this very strict definition of disability. While some programs give money to people with partial disability or short-term disability, Social Security does not.
In general, to get disability benefits, you must meet two different earnings tests:
- A recent work test, based on your age at the time you became disabled; and
- A duration of work test to show that you worked long enough under Social Security.
Certain blind workers have to meet only the duration of work test.