Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) exists for people who really can’t work, not for those who want a gap year. So if you meet the requirements, take it as that support that allows you to focus on what is important: your health. And if that’s not your case, share the info… You never know who needs it and is too exhausted to look for answers.
If you are waiting for your SSDI check, this is of interest to you (and if not, please pass the information on to whomever it will help). It turns out that the last payment for February will be sent out next week, so grab a pen and paper or bookmark this. And yes, we’re talking up to $4,018 for some lucky ones. Are you one of them? Let’s get down to business, but calmly and in flip-flops, this is not a boring economics class.
SSDI benefits paid three times a month: two groups will not receive more money
On the second, third, and fourth Wednesday of the month of February (as usual each month), the Social Security Administration, abbreviated as SSA, sends three groups of payments for SSDI beneficiaries, which share dates with those of retirement and are cataloged according to their date of birth.
- Birthdays between the 1st and 10th of the month: you were already paid on February 12th (and if not, check your account now).
- birthdays between the 11th and the 20th: your day was the 19th (they have also already been sent to the accounts).
- Birthdays between the 21st and 31st: you have to wait until February 26th. This is the last group and your last chance to receive the money this month.
Who qualifies for SSDI in 2025?
One day, your body, or mind might say it doesn’t feel up to going to work for a while. A Fracture, a cardiac event, a stress spike that is diagnosed to last a long time (and comes with a doctor’s order for complete rest), or a chronic illness. It doesn’t matter. If the situation is serious and long-term, SSDI comes in as that friend who lends you money without making you feel guilty. Of course, it’s not a “gift just for the sake of it”: you need to prove with medical papers that you’re really screwed (and no, a cold doesn’t count).
The SSA has a “Blue Book” that contains the giant list of qualifying conditions.
How much do they give? The maximum this month is $4,018, but… Aha! There is fine print:
That figure is like finding a unicorn: it only applies if you have been contributing for 35 years with a big salary and you were born before 1954 (yes, grandpa mode). For the youngest, things are going down because the retirement age has gone up. But be careful, even if you don’t reach the limit, it is still a relief to pay the rent or medicines.
Work credits: Your pass to obtain SSDI benefits
Here comes the requirement that many hate: you need 40 work credits. It sounds like a board game, but in reality they are points that you accumulate by working. In 2025, each credit is equivalent to earning $1,810, and you can collect up to 4 a year.
But wait, there’s a catch: 20 of those credits must be from the last 10 years. I mean, if you stopped working a decade ago, forget it. Unless you’re young and the SSA says “well, we’ll give you a special pass”… but don’t count on that as plan A.
