What is Social Security Disability? What is SSDI?

Social Security Disability is available to individuals who have worked in the recent past. To qualify for the most common type Social Security Disability, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must typically have worked 5 out of the last 10 years and made sufficient FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act) contributions during that time. If you are under 31, however, the work requirements are different since you have not been in the workforce for very long. If you worked and do not remember making any such payments, do not worry. FICA is a payroll tax taken directly out of your paycheck. (To see exactly how much you have to work to qualify for SSDI see..)

In addition to the FICA requirements, to qualify for SSDI you must file a claim with the Social Security Administration and be disabled as defined by the Social Security Act. SSDI does NOT require that you be poor.