Glossary: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
The person who is getting a benefit.
A report that summarizes your current Social Security disability benefits and available work incentives. To order one, visit your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 (voice); 1-800-325-0778 (TTY). Be sure to review your BPQY carefully. If you have questions about it, contact a Work Incentive Consultant or Social Security.
Tip: The BPQY is form number SSA-2459. If a Social Security Claims Representative does not know what a BPQY is, mention the form number.
Eyesight that is very limited. To be considered legally blind, you must:
- Have a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in your better eye, even while you are wearing a correcting contact lens or glasses in that eye; or
-
Have a limitation in the field of vision of your better eye, so that:
- You have a contraction of peripheral visual fields to 10 degrees from the point of fixation, or
- The widest diameter of your visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees, or
- You have a contraction of peripheral visual fields to 20% or less visual field efficiency.
Social Security and other agencies use this definition of blindness to decide if you qualify for benefits programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Some people with vision impairments that do not meet these standards may still qualify for benefits.
The Social Security publication that provides detailed information about disability programs to physicians and other health care professionals. The Blue Book includes the complete Listing of Impairments, which lists and defines those conditions considered severe enough to prevent a person from doing any gainful activity. The Blue Book can now be accessed online.
Social Security benefits for adults who:
- Became disabled before turning 22, and
- Have a parent who died or who gets retirement or SSDI benefits.
Formerly known as "Disabled Adult Child" (DAC) benefits.
A periodic review to determine if there has been any medical improvement in your condition and/or to determine whether you continue to be eligible for Social Security benefits for other reasons. The two types of reviews are called a medical CDR and a work CDR.
The inability to engage in any Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
A person must not only be unable to do his/her previous work but cannot, considering age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of SGA which exists in the national economy. It doesn't matter whether such work exists in the immediate area, or whether a specific job vacancy exists, or whether the worker would be hired if he/she applied for work. The worker’s impairment(s) must be the primary reason for his/her inability to engage in SGA.
The evaluation process the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to decide whether a person's disability meets SSA’s disability criteria for disability-based benefits.
Social Security benefits for adults who:
- Became disabled before turning 22, and
- Have a parent who died or who gets retirement or SSDI benefits.
Also called "Childhood Disability Benefits" (CDB).
Salaries, wages, tips, professional fees, and other amounts you receive as pay for physical or mental work you perform. This can include things you get in exchange for work instead of wages, such as food, shelter, or other items. Funds received from any other source are not included. (Contrast: unearned income.)
A quicker way to get benefits restarted for individuals whose Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) ends due to employment. You get up to six months of benefits while SSA decides if you have medically improved or not. This provision is available for up to five years after your benefits end.
A three-year period (36 months) after your SSDI Trial Work Period ends, during which you can keep getting SSDI benefits in any month when you earn less than the Substantial Gainful Activity level ($1,550 in 2024; $2,590 if you're blind).
If you earn more than SGA, your SSDI benefits will be suspended. However, during the EPE, you are eligible to have your SSDI benefits restarted if your earnings drop below SGA.
Taxes that are deducted from your paycheck when you work to help pay for Social Security and Medicare. FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
The 60 consecutive months (five years) during which you can work nine Trial Work Months.
The window begins on the first TWP month, but rolls forward until you have worked nine Trial Work Months within 60 consecutive months.
When a person has a pattern of work in which countable earnings exceed Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), the first 3-months of that pattern are the Grace Period. A person gets full Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments regardless of wages during this period.
Your earned income (before taxes and other deductions are made) plus your unearned income.
Your total earned income for the month before taxes and other deductions are made.
A form for individuals with HIV/AIDS who are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The form requires physicians to identify whether an individual has one of the 41 opportunistic infections listed on the form, and to specify any "repeated manifestations" of other symptoms that restrict certain aspects of the individual's life.
Documented expenses for services or items that are related to a serious medical condition or impairment and needed in order to work. Wheelchairs, physician visits, copayments for prescriptions, and other medical expenses are some examples of IRWEs. The expenses must be verified by original receipts and canceled checks and approved by Social Security.
The adjustment of payments when an individual is eligible for more than one benefit program.
Cash or other property which can be converted to cash within 20 days, excluding non-work days. Liquid assets include: checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares, promissory notes, mortgages, and life insurance policies.
The date, after reviewing an individual's medical records, that Social Security determines that a disability began. The date Social Security receives an application does not necessarily establish the onset date.
Payment that exceeds the approved benefit amount.
A group of specialists at the Social Security Administration (SSA) who review, monitor, and approve Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS). They can also help you as you write your plan.
To contact the Phoenix PASS Cadre (serving all of Arizona), call 1-866-331-4359, ext. 12887.
The continuous period from the award start date of a benefit to the date when eligibility for the benefit or program stops.
Social Security program that provides monthly income to people with disabilities, survivors or dependents of people with disabilities, and retired people. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is one part of RSDI.
Payments made for the period between disability onset and application approval.
A federal government agency that runs important programs like:
- Social Security retirement benefits
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and
- Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB).
Social Security offices also handle some aspects of Medicare.
To contact SSA, call 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) or visit your local Social Security office.
A Social Security cash benefit for children with a parent who gets Social Security retirement benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Children with a deceased parent may also qualify.
A Social Security Administration program that gives money each month to people who have a disability that meets Social Security disability rules and who, in the past, worked and paid FICA taxes for enough time to qualify. SSDI has no income limits and no resource limits. The amount you get in SSDI benefits depends on your Social Security earnings record. After getting SSDI benefits for two years, you automatically qualify for Medicare health coverage.
SSDI also offers benefits to family members, including children and widows, when a primary wage earner in the family becomes disabled or dies. Additionally, adults whose disabilities began before they turned 22 may be able to get Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB).
An employment support program that meets Social Security's criteria for Section 301.
The amount of monthly earned income that shows a person is doing significant work according to Social Security. People who cannot earn more than SGA due to their disabilities may be considered disabled by Social Security and other agencies that use Social Security’s definition of disability.
In 2024, SGA is $1,550 per month ($2,590 for people who are blind).
SGA levels for previous years:
| Year | Disabled, Non-blind | Blind |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1,470 | $2,460 |
| 2022 | $1,350 | $2,260 |
| 2021 | $1,310 | $2,190 |
| 2020 | $1,260 | $2,110 |
| 2019 | $1,220 | $2,040 |
| 2018 | $1,180 | $1,970 |
| 2017 | $1,170 | $1,950 |
| 2016 | $1,130 | $1,820 |
| 2015 | $1,090 | $1,820 |
| 2014 | $1,070 | $1,800 |
| 2013 | $1,040 | $1,740 |
| 2012 | $1,010 | $1,690 |
| 2011 | $1,000 | $1,640 |
| 2010 | $1,000 | $1,640 |
A standard electronic form that indicates eligibility for the Ticket to Work Program.
A Social Security Administration (SSA) program that helps adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs. To qualify, you must be 18 – 64 years old and currently be getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
Ticket to Work offers free services, such as:
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Training
- Referrals
- Job coaching
- Job counseling
- Placement services
Any month when gross monthly earnings are above $1,110 (for 2024). Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) cannot be deducted when figuring out Trial Work month earnings.
Trial Work month income levels are indexed annually for increases or decreases in the average wage. Previous Trial Work month gross income levels were:
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$1,050 in 2023
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$970 in 2022
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$940 in 2021
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$910 in 2020
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$880 in 2019
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$850 in 2018
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$840 in 2017
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$810 in 2016
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$780 in 2015
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$770 in 2014
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$750 in 2013
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$720 in 2012
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$720 in 2011
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$720 in 2010
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$700 in 2009
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$670 in 2008
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$640 in 2007
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$620 in 2006
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$590 in 2005
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$580 in 2004
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$570 in 2003
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$560 in 2002
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$530 in 2001
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$200 from 1990 to 2000, and
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$75 before 1990.
The Trial Work Period is the nine Trial Work months occurring within a five-year window when you can work and continue to get your full SSDI benefit. These work months can occur one right after the other or be spread out over time.
Funds received from sources for which no paid work activity is performed. Disability benefits such as SSDI, SSI, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance; VA benefits; Workers' Compensation; income from a trust or investment; spousal support; dividends, profits, or funds received from any source other than work are all usually considered unearned income.
Financial or other assistance from an agency or individual to help establish or sustain a self-employed person’s business. Examples include a government agency paying for some of your business expenses, or providing you with things of value (e.g. office space) free of charge.
Social Security rules do not penalize you for receiving unincurred business expenses. Instead, Social Security deducts the value of any unincurred business expenses from your net income when deciding if you have reached the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level for any given month. SSA uses fair market value to assess the value of any unincurred business expenses.
The estimated value of any unpaid assistance from your spouse, children or others provided to your business. If someone provides your business with 10 hours/month of free web design work, and the prevailing wage for that kind of work in your community is $25/hour, the value of that unpaid help is $250/month.
Social Security rules do not penalize you for receiving unpaid help. Instead, Social Security deducts the value of any unpaid help that your business receives from your net income when deciding if you have reached the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level each month.
For the purposes of calculating Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), wage subsidy and special conditions are support you get on the job that may result in your getting more pay than the actual value of the services you perform. Wage subsidy refers to support you get from your employer; special conditions are generally given to you by someone other than your employer, for example a vocational rehabilitation agency.
Social Security looks at wage subsidy and special conditions when they make an SGA decision. They only use earnings that represent the real value of the work you perform to decide if your work is at the SGA level. If Social Security decides that wage subsidy or special conditions exist, you can earn more while continuing to get your benefits.
Wage subsidy or special conditions may exist if:
- You get more supervision than other workers doing the same or a similar job for the same pay
- You have fewer or simpler tasks to complete than other workers doing the same job for the same pay, or
- You have a job coach or mentor who helps you perform some of your work
Note that Social Security uses wage subsidy and special conditions rules when they are deciding if you have earned Substantial Gainful Activity after your SSDI Trial Work Period is over. Social Security does not use these rules during your Trial Work Period or in any Trial Work month.
Physical or mental activity that is actually performed and results in earned income.
One of the eligibility requirements for SSDI is to have worked and paid FICA taxes for specified periods of time. If you work and earn at least $1,730 for one quarter (three months), and pay FICA taxes, you earn one SSDI "work credit." You can earn up to four credits within a 12-month period.
The number of work credits needed to qualify for SSDI depends upon how old you were when Social Security determined that you are disabled.
If you were determined disabled before age 24, you need six credits within the past three years to be eligible for SSDI.
If you were determined disabled between the ages of 24 and 31, you need 12 credits within the past six years to be eligible for SSDI.
If you were determined disabled after you turned 31, you need the number of work credits shown in the table below. And unless you are blind, you need to have earned at least 20 of those credits in the 10 years prior to becoming disabled.
|
Became Disabled At Age:
|
Number of Credits Needed
|
|---|---|
|
31 through 42
|
20
|
|
44
|
22
|
|
46
|
24
|
|
48
|
26
|
|
50
|
28
|
|
52
|
30
|
|
54
|
32
|
|
56
|
34
|
|
58
|
36
|
|
60
|
38
|
|
62 or older
|
40
|
A Work Incentive Consultant is a trained expert who can help you understand Social Security work incentives, disability benefit programs, and how they are impacted by work. Their goal is to help you avoid complications while developing a sustainable financial plan for your future.
You can contact Benefits 2 Work Arizona to find a Work Incentive Consultant serving your community. They specialize in working with employed or soon to be employed people who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and related programs.
Work incentives are rules that help people who get public benefits and work. They let people get a benefit while they're working, keep a benefit longer while they work, or get a benefit back quickly if it stops due to work.
All public benefits in Arizona have work incentives, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, and AHCCCS.
A program that replaces income and provides for medical treatment when you can't work because of on-the-job injuries.
Get Expert Help
Ask an Arizona Work Incentive Consultant your questions about work and benefits.
1-866-304-WORK (9675)
A Work Incentive Consultant is a trained expert who can help you understand Social Security work incentives, disability benefit programs, and how they are impacted by work. Their goal is to help you transition to work and make a sustainable financial plan for your future.
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