1. You Must Have a Qualifying Disability

To qualify for SSDI, you must have a severe medical condition that prevents you from working. The SSA defines a disability as a condition that:

• Has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or
• Is expected to result in death, and
• Prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA) — meaning you can’t earn more than a certain monthly income through work.

For 2025, the SGA limit is:

• $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals.
• $2,590 per month for blind individuals.

Your condition must also be supported by objective medical evidence such as doctor’s reports, lab tests, or imaging studies.

2. You Must Have Enough Work Credits

SSDI is funded through Social Security taxes (FICA), so eligibility depends partly on your work history. You earn up to four work credits per year, and the number of credits you need depends on your age when you became disabled.

Generally:

• Most people need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled.
• Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits — for example, someone under age 31 may only need 6 to 18 credits, depending on age.

You can check your current work credits by logging in to your my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov.

3. Your Disability Must Meet SSA’s Listing of Impairments

The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, sometimes called the “Blue Book,” which details medical conditions that are considered severe enough to qualify automatically for disability.

Examples include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders (like back injuries or arthritis)
• Cardiovascular conditions (such as heart failure)
• Neurological disorders (like epilepsy or multiple sclerosis)
• Mental health conditions (such as depression or PTSD)

If your condition isn’t listed, you can still qualify if you can prove it limits your ability to work to the same extent as a listed impairment.

4. You Must Be Unable to Perform Past or Other Work

The SSA uses a five-step evaluation process to decide whether you’re disabled:

1. Are you working above the SGA limit? If yes, you’re not considered disabled.
2. Is your condition severe? It must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities.
3. Does it meet or equal a listed impairment? If yes, you qualify.
4. Can you do your past work? If you can, your claim will likely be denied.
5. Can you do other work? The SSA evaluates your age, education, and skills to determine if you could adjust to other jobs.

If you can’t perform any substantial work, you may be approved for SSDI benefits.

5. You Must Be Receiving Ongoing Medical Treatment

Your medical records are the backbone of your SSDI claim. You should:

• See your doctor regularly, following all prescribed treatments.
• Keep detailed medical records, including test results and doctor’s notes.
• Provide updates if your condition changes or worsens.

In Kentucky, the Disability Determination Service (DDS) reviews your medical evidence on behalf of the SSA. They may also request a consultative exam (CE) with an independent doctor.

6. You Must Not Be Receiving Certain Other Benefits

Some other benefits may affect your SSDI eligibility or payment amount, such as:

• Workers’ compensation
• Public disability benefits
• Short-term disability insurance

However, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be combined with SSDI if you meet income and asset limits.

7. Residency and Application Process in Kentucky

You must be a resident of Kentucky when applying, and your application will be processed by one of the Kentucky SSA field offices — located in cities like Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and Owensboro.

You can apply:

• Online at www.ssa.gov,
• By phone at 1-800-772-1213, or
• In person at your nearest SSA office.