Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program funded by the United States government, managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and provides monthly financial assistance to people who are unable to work due to a significant disability.
The spirit of the SSDI disability program is designed to provide a lifeline to those who worked and paid enough into the Social Security system to claim benefits when they became disabled. Through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, employees and employers contributed throughout the years of an individual’s working life so that they can access benefits when they are needed.
Who qualifies for SSDI? Requirements and more to know
To be eligible, an applicant must meet two main requirements. To start, you must have had a sufficient work history, having accumulated employment credits through work and paying Social Security taxes. The number of credits required depends on the applicant’s age at the time of disability. The list of credits required by age works as follows:
- 62 or older: You need 40 work credits, with 20 earned within 10 years of becoming disabled (Younger than 62: You may qualify with fewer work credits, depending on your age)
- Before age 24: You need 6 work credits earned within 3 years before your disability
- Ages 24 to 31: You need to have worked half of the time between when you turned 21 and your disability
- Ages 31 to 42: You need 20 work credits
- Ages 43 to 61: The number of credits increases with age
Next, the person must have a qualifying medical condition: Have a serious, long-term disability (minimum 12 months or resulting in death), which prevents performing any substantial work. The SSA uses a detailed list of qualifying medical conditions cataloged in the so-called “Blue Book”, where all accepted medical conditions are noted.
SSDI payment dates in January 2025
SSDI organizes its monthly payments in stages, depending on the beneficiary’s day of birth. This system facilitates equitable distribution and ensures that funds are available in a timely manner. For January 2025, the key dates are as follows:
- Wednesday, January 8: Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month.
- Wednesday, January 15: Beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th of any month.
- Wednesday, January 22: Beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st of any month.
If a beneficiary receives both SSDI and SSI (Supplemental Security Income), the January SSI payment was advanced to December 31, 2024, because January 1 was a national holiday. This measure ensures that beneficiaries have access to their funds without interruptions.
According to the SSA, and having applied the 2025 cost of living adjustment (COLA), which was 2.5%, the maximum amount is set at approximately $1,580, for those who qualify for this high amount.
However, keep in mind that not everyone qualifies for the maximum and that each case is particular and different from the others in its characteristics, not only due to the issue of accumulation of work credits, but also due to the type of disability, among other factors.
