SSDI Benefits Qualifications:  
Injury:
     To be eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must have a physical disability, mental disability or a combination of the two, that is expected to significantly impair your ability to work for at least 12 months or which may cause death.
     The term disability is a broad term that refers to any physical impairment, mental impairment, brain impairment, injury, disease or other medical condition that impairs your ability to work.
Work History:
     In order to be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for enough quarters in the relevant term of years.  If you do not meet this requirement you may still be eligible for SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
Unable to Work:
     Even if you are unable to return to your previous occupation, you are not eligible for SSDI benefits unless you are unable to transition to a new occupation. The limitations of your disability will be taken into consideration along with your education, work history, age and other factors to determine if you are able to work. Please note, however, that the Social Security Administration does assume that as claimants get older, it may be more difficult to transition to a new occupation. Therefore, claimants who are 50, 55 or older may benefit from such assumptions.


Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
     Many people struggle with understanding the difference between SSDI and SSI benefits and who is able to qualify for one or both.  But fear not, that's why we are here to help!  SSI benefits are based on the exact same medical and vocational requirements.  If you meet the medical requirements of SSDI, you will also meet the medical requirements of SSI.  The essential difference between the two programs is from a financial standpoint.  SSI is a welfare based disability program that can be directly affected by any type of household income or support that an individual might receive./