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Are You Eligible?

To be eligible for SSDI:

The worker must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for enough years to be covered under Social Security insurance; some of the taxes must have been paid in recent years; and
 
You must be:
  1. The worker or the worker's adult child or widow(er);

  2. Considered medically disabled; and

  3. Not working or working but earning less than the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level.

To be eligible for SSI based on a medical condition:

  1. You must have little or no income or resources;

  2. You must be a US citizen or meet the requirements for non-citizens;

  3. You must be considered medically disabled;

  4. You must be a resident of the 50 State, District of Columbia, or Northern Mariana Islands;

  5. You must file an application;

  6. You must file for any and all other benefits for which you are eligible;

  7. You must accept vocational rehabilitation services, if referred; and

  8. If your impairment is other than blindness, when you apply, you must not be working or working but earning less than the SGA level. Once you are on the rolls, your eligibility will continue until you medically recover or no longer meet a non-disability-related requirement.

If you are blind, only the first seven requirements apply to you.