1. Work Credits Requirement

SSDI is funded through payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). To qualify, you must have earned enough work credits by working in jobs covered by Social Security.

A. How Work Credits Are Calculated

• In 2025, you earn one work credit for every $1,730 in wages or self-employment income.
• You can earn a maximum of four credits per year.
• Generally, you need 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years before your disability began.

B. Younger Workers Exception

If you are younger and haven’t had time to earn 40 credits, you may still qualify under modified requirements:

• Under age 24: You may qualify if you earned 6 credits in the 3 years before your disability began.
• Ages 24-31: You may qualify if you have credit for working half the time between age 21 and when your disability started. For example, if you become disabled at 27, you would need 12 credits (3 years of work) from age 21 to 27.

2. Severe Medical Condition Requirement

Your condition must be considered severe enough to interfere with basic work-related activities. SSA requires:

• Your condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 consecutive months or result in death.
• The severity must prevent you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), meaning you cannot engage in work that earns above a certain income threshold ($1,550 per month in 2024 for non-blind individuals).

3. Meet the SSA’s Definition of Disability

The SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine disability:

1. Are you working?
   If you are earning above the SGA limit, you generally will not be considered disabled.
2. Is your condition severe?
   Your medical condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities.
3. Is your condition on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments?
   If your condition meets or equals a listed impairment, you will be found disabled.
4. Can you perform your past work?
   SSA determines whether you can still do any work you performed in the past 15 years.
5. Can you do any other work?
   If you cannot do past work, SSA considers your age, education, and work experience to assess whether you can adjust to other work.

4. Medical Evidence Requirement

To prove your eligibility, you must submit extensive medical documentation, including:

• Doctor’s treatment notes detailing your symptoms, limitations, and treatment outcomes
• Diagnostic tests, such as MRIs, CT scans, blood tests, or psychological evaluations
• Hospital records if you have been hospitalized for your condition
• Statements from treating physicians explaining how your condition limits your ability to work

5. Residency and Citizenship Requirements

You must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen with eligible immigration status
• Reside in the United States or its territories, including Arkansas

6. Not Engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

If you are working and earning more than the monthly SGA limit, you generally are not considered disabled under SSA rules, regardless of your medical condition.

7. Additional Considerations for Arkansas Residents

• Arkansas Disability Determination Services (DDS) handles the medical review portion of your application. Providing thorough and organized records can speed up the decision process.
• You can apply online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office.