Who Qualifies for SSDI Benefits?
To qualify for SSDI, an applicant must meet both medical and non-medical criteria. At Walker Firm PC, DBA Casa de la Justicia, we specialize in helping primarily Spanish-speaking clients apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits. One key criteria is that they must be citizens or residents (green card holders) under the age of 65 who have worked legally in the United States.
1. Work Credits Requirement
SSDI is an insurance program funded through payroll taxes. Green card holders must have earned sufficient work credits by paying into Social Security through FICA taxes. Work credits are earned based on an individual’s annual earnings:
- In 2024, workers earn one credit for every $1,730 in covered earnings, up to a maximum of four credits per year.
- The number of required credits depends on the applicant’s age at the time of disability.
- Most individuals need 40 work credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the last 10 years.
- Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
Green card holders who have not yet accumulated enough work credits may qualify for benefits through a spouse or parent’s work record, depending on the circumstances. Additionally, they may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if they meet income and resource limits.
2. Disability Requirement
The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
To assess disability, SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation process:
Is the applicant working?
If they earn more than the SGA threshold (which changes annually), they are ineligible.
Is the impairment severe?
The condition must significantly limit basic work activities.
Is the impairment listed in the SSA’s Blue Book?
The SSA maintains a list of impairments that automatically qualify if the medical criteria are met.
Can the applicant perform past work?
If they can still perform their previous work, they do not qualify.
Can the applicant perform any other work?
SSA assesses whether the applicant can do other work based on age, education, and experience.
Who Does Not Qualify for SSDI?
Green card holders may be denied benefits if:
- They lack sufficient work credits or haven’t worked recently enough.
- They are earning above the SGA threshold ($11,620 per month for non-blind individuals, and $2,700 per month for individuals that are blind).
- Their condition is not severe enough to significantly impact their ability to work.
- Their impairment is not expected to last 12 months or result in death.
- They can perform past or other types of work despite their impairment.
Additionally, green card holders who do not maintain lawful status in the U.S. or those who fail to comply with SSA’s medical evaluations may be disqualified.
At Walker Firm PC, DBA Casa de la Justicia, our experienced SSDI attorneys can help you better understand the options and work with your clients to secure the monthly benefits they need to support their recovery and future well-being. Just call us at 1-800-454-5454 and we will help without a penny coming out of your client’s pocket.
