Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a payroll funded disability program administered by the Social Security Administration. SSDI provides monthly cash payments to disabled workers who have a severe physical or mental health condition and cannot work for at least 12 continuous months.

To qualify for SSDI, workers must work, pay employment taxes and earn work credits to be insured by the Social Security Administration. Workers who are not insured, who have not worked, who have not paid taxes or who do not have a condition which renders them unable to work for at least 12 continuous months are automatically denied SSDI. SSDI is not offered for partial or short-term disability benefits.