Am I Eligible?
Answer 3 quick questions to find out whether you likely qualify for SSDI, SSI, or both. Not a substitute for legal advice.
Quick Eligibility Check
3 yes/no questions — takes under a minute.
1Have you worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 5 of the last 10 years?
2Is your total income + assets below $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple)?
3Is your condition expected to last at least 12 months and prevent you from doing substantial work?
SSDI vs. SSI — What's the Difference?
Most people confuse these two. They are completely different programs with different rules, different amounts, and different paths to healthcare coverage.
Work-Based Program
SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability Insurance
Based onYour work history & Social Security credits
Asset limitNone — savings & investments OK
2026 avg payment~$1,542/mo
2026 max$4,018/mo
HealthcareMedicare (24-month wait)
Income limitSGA ~$1,550/mo from work
Who qualifies5 of last 10 years of work credits
Need-Based Program
SSI
Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income
Based onFinancial need — no work history needed
Asset limit$2,000 individual / $3,000 couple
2026 max$967/mo individual
HealthcareMedicaid (usually immediate)
Income limitVery strict — most income counts
Who qualifiesDisabled, blind, or 65+ with low income & resources
You can receive both SSDI and SSI simultaneously if your SSDI benefit is low enough. This is called concurrent benefits, and it can maximize your total monthly income while also giving you access to both Medicare and Medicaid.
What Conditions Qualify
The Social Security Test for Disability
Social Security defines disability as: a physical or mental condition that prevents you from doing any substantial gainful work AND is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
This is a strict definition. They are not looking at whether you can do YOUR old job — they're looking at whether you can do ANY job, anywhere. This is why having medical documentation is critical.
This is a strict definition. They are not looking at whether you can do YOUR old job — they're looking at whether you can do ANY job, anywhere. This is why having medical documentation is critical.
Commonly Approved Conditions
Kidney failure / ESRD · Heart failure · Cancer · HIV/AIDS · ALS · Blindness · Deafness · Severe diabetes complications · Severe mental illness (schizophrenia, major depression, PTSD) · Musculoskeletal disorders · Traumatic brain injury · Stroke · Multiple sclerosis · Lupus · Chronic respiratory failure · Organ transplant recovery
Conditions Requiring More Documentation
Fibromyalgia · Chronic fatigue syndrome · Anxiety / depression (mild to moderate) · Chronic pain · ADHD · Migraines · Back pain without neurological findings
These can qualify — but require strong medical documentation showing how they prevent substantial work.
These can qualify — but require strong medical documentation showing how they prevent substantial work.
How to Apply — Step by Step
1
Gather your medical records first
Before you apply, collect: names and addresses of all doctors, hospitals, and clinics; dates of treatments; list of all medications; lab results and test results. The stronger your medical file, the stronger your application.
2
Apply online, by phone, or in person
Online: ssa.gov/benefits/disability · Phone: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) · In person: find your local SSA office at ssa.gov/locator. Online is usually fastest.
3
Complete the Adult Disability Report (SSA-3368)
This is your main application. Describe your conditions and how they affect your daily life in detail. Do NOT minimize your symptoms. Describe your worst days, not your average days.
4
Attend the SSA medical exam if requested
SSA may require you to attend a Consultative Examination (CE) with a doctor they choose. Be thorough, honest, and complete. Bring a list of medications and all your conditions.
5
Wait — and appeal if denied
Initial decisions take 3-6 months. Most people are denied on the first application — this is normal. You have 60 days to appeal. The appeal process often succeeds where the initial application failed.
The Appeal Process — Most People Win Here
Critical fact: About 67% of initial SSDI applications are denied. But the majority of people who appeal — especially those who reach the ALJ hearing stage with an attorney — are ultimately approved. Never give up after the first denial.
Stage 1 — Initial Application: 3-6 months. ~67% denied. If denied, appeal within 60 days.
Stage 2 — Reconsideration: Another SSA reviewer looks at your case with any new evidence you provide. Most are still denied here. Appeal within 60 days.
Stage 3 — ALJ Hearing: You appear before an Administrative Law Judge — in person or by video. This is where most people win. Get an attorney before this stage.
Stage 4 — Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies, you can request review by the Appeals Council. They can review the decision, send it back, or deny.
Stage 5 — Federal Court: Last resort. Rare but possible. Most people resolve their case before this stage.
Disability Attorneys — Free Unless You Win
How Disability Attorneys Are Paid
Disability attorneys work on contingency — they only get paid if you win. Their fee is set by law: 25% of your back pay, capped at $9,200 (the SSA raised the cap from $7,200 effective November 2024, with annual cost-of-living adjustments after 2026). If you don't win, you pay nothing. This means hiring an attorney costs you nothing upfront and dramatically improves your chances.
When to hire an attorney: As early as possible, but especially before the ALJ hearing. Many attorneys will take your case even after an initial denial. Search "disability attorney near me" or use NOSSCR.org to find a Social Security disability specialist.
While You Wait — What You Can & Can't Do
Trial Work Period — You Can Work Limited Hours
Once approved, SSDI allows a Trial Work Period of 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) where you can test your ability to work without losing benefits. After that, you have a 36-month window where you can still receive benefits for any month your income is below SGA (~$1,550/month for 2026).
What counts as income for SSDI
Earned income (from work) counts against the SGA limit. Investment income, rental income, and passive income generally do NOT count against your SSDI benefit — only against SSI. This is an important distinction for building wealth while on SSDI.
Key Resources
Related: Medicare & Community Resources
Once your disability benefits are approved, understanding your Medicare coverage is the next critical step. Read our Medicare & Medicaid Guide for dialysis patients — including ESRD eligibility, Parts A–D, and enrollment timelines.
You are not navigating this alone. Join the MAVTG dialysis and transplant community — a network of patients, caregivers, and veterans who have been through the disability process and are ready to share what they learned.
The Moore Foundation supports kidney disease patients through education, advocacy, and direct assistance. Learn more about the Foundation and how it can help you.
You are not navigating this alone. Join the MAVTG dialysis and transplant community — a network of patients, caregivers, and veterans who have been through the disability process and are ready to share what they learned.
The Moore Foundation supports kidney disease patients through education, advocacy, and direct assistance. Learn more about the Foundation and how it can help you.
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