SSDI Eligibility Checker

Check whether you meet the SSA's work credit, earnings, and medical criteria for Social Security Disability Insurance in 2026.

You may be eligible for SSDI if you have enough work credits, earned recently enough based on your age, your current earnings are below the substantial gainful activity limit ($1,690/month in 2026), and your condition meets SSA's strict definition of disability, expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

SSDI is insurance you earn through your work history, not a program based on financial need. Eligibility depends on three separate things: enough work credits earned at the right times, earnings below a monthly limit, and a medical condition serious enough to meet SSA's definition. Answer the questions below to check where you stand on each requirement.

Eligibility Checker

Check SSDI Eligibility

Your age when your medical condition began preventing you from working

Total Social Security work credits you've earned in your lifetime You can find your exact number at ssa.gov/myaccount. If unsure, estimate 4 credits for each full year you worked and paid Social Security taxes.

Credits earned in the 10 years before your disability began

Your current or expected monthly earnings while managing this condition ($)

Are you statutorily blind under SSA's rules?

Does your condition prevent you from doing substantial work, and is it expected to last at least 12 months or result in death? This is your own self-assessment, not a medical determination. SSA determines actual medical eligibility through its own review process.

SSDI eligibility comes down to three independent tests, and all three have to pass. The first two are about your work history. SSA checks whether you have enough total work credits for your age, called the duration test, and separately whether enough of those credits were earned recently, called the recent work test. It's possible to fail one and pass the other, for example if you worked for many years earlier in your career but had a long gap before your disability began. The third test looks at your current earnings. If you're earning above a monthly threshold called Substantial Gainful Activity, currently $1,690 for most applicants in 2026, SSA generally won't consider you disabled regardless of your medical condition. Finally, your condition itself has to meet SSA's definition: it must prevent you from doing your previous work or adjusting to other work, and it must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This tool can't evaluate your medical condition, only SSA can make that determination, so treat that part as a starting checklist, not a final answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible for Social Security disability?

You generally need enough work credits, earned recently enough based on your age, current earnings below the substantial gainful activity limit ($1,690/month in 2026, or $2,830 if blind), and a medical condition that meets SSA's strict definition of disability.

How many work credits do I need for SSDI?

It depends on your age when your disability began. Workers 31 and older generally need 20 credits earned in the 10 years before disability, plus a total ranging from 20 to 40 credits depending on age. Younger workers need fewer credits.

What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?

SGA is the monthly earnings limit SSA uses to determine whether your work activity is inconsistent with being disabled. In 2026, it's $1,690 per month for most applicants, or $2,830 per month if you're statutorily blind.

Is SSDI the same as SSI?

No. SSDI is based on your work history and payroll taxes paid. SSI is a separate, needs-based program with its own income and resource limits, available even to people with little or no work history.

What if I have enough total work credits but haven't worked recently?

You can still be denied. SSDI requires both enough total credits (the duration test) AND enough of those credits earned recently (the recent work test). Failing either one can result in denial, even with a strong overall work history.

Can I work while applying for or receiving SSDI?

Limited work is allowed if your earnings stay below the SGA threshold. SSA also offers a Trial Work Period that lets current SSDI recipients test working without immediately losing benefits.

This tool provides a general eligibility check based on current Social Security Administration rules for work credits and earnings limits, and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. It cannot evaluate whether your medical condition meets SSA's definition of disability — only SSA can make that determination through its own review process. Work credit figures you enter are estimates unless confirmed on your Social Security Statement. For an official eligibility determination, apply directly through the Social Security Administration or create a free account at ssa.gov/myaccount to view your exact work credit history.