1. What Is SSDI?

SSDI is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides disability benefits to insured workers. Unlike SSI, which is needs-based, SSDI eligibility is determined by your work history and disability status, not your current financial situation.

2. Key SSDI Eligibility Requirements in Tennessee

To qualify for SSDI, you must meet both work credit requirements and medical eligibility criteria:

a. Work Credit Requirement

You need to have worked long enough and recently enough to be considered “insured” under SSA rules. This means:

• You earn work credits through paying Social Security taxes (FICA) on your earnings.
• In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in wages or self-employment income, up to four credits per year.
• Generally, to qualify for SSDI you need 40 work credits total, with at least 20 credits earned in the last 10 years before you became disabled.

Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. For example, if you become disabled before age 24, you need at least six credits earned in the three years before your disability.

b. Medical Disability Requirement

SSA defines disability as:

• A severe medically determinable impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and
• Prevents you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2024, SGA is defined as earning more than $1,550 per month (non-blind individuals) or $2,590 (blind individuals).

3. SSA’s Five-Step Evaluation Process

SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation to determine disability eligibility:

• Step 1: Are You Working Above SGA?
  If you are earning above the monthly SGA limit, SSA will generally deny your claim regardless of your condition.
• Step 2: Is Your Condition Severe?
  Your impairment must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work-related activities, such as standing, walking, remembering instructions, or lifting.
• Step 3: Does Your Condition Meet or Equal a Listing?
  SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments containing conditions that are considered severe enough to qualify automatically if the specific criteria are met. These include severe cardiac conditions, cancers, neurological disorders, and mental health impairments.
• Step 4: Can You Perform Past Relevant Work?
  If your condition does not meet a listing, SSA evaluates whether you can still do any work you have performed in the last 15 years.
• Step 5: Can You Do Any Other Work?
  Finally, SSA considers your age, education, work experience, and functional limitations to determine if you can adjust to other jobs existing in the national economy.

4. Common Conditions That Qualify for SSDI in Tennessee

While any severe condition that prevents work can qualify, common SSDI-eligible conditions include:

• Severe back disorders and spinal injuries
• Heart disease and congestive heart failure
• Chronic respiratory disorders such as COPD
• Cancer (certain types and stages)
• Diabetes with severe complications
• Severe mental health conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
• Neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis or epilepsy
• Autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

5. How to Strengthen Your SSDI Application

To increase your chances of approval:

• Obtain detailed medical documentation from your doctors, including treatment history, test results, and written statements explaining your work limitations
• Follow prescribed treatments and therapies to demonstrate compliance and severity of your condition
• Complete your application thoroughly and accurately, listing all medical conditions and limitations, not just your primary diagnosis
• Consider including third-party statements from family members, coworkers, or case managers describing how your condition affects daily activities

6. When to Apply for SSDI in Tennessee

Apply as soon as you become unable to work due to your disability. SSDI benefits include a five-month waiting period from the date SSA determines you became disabled, so timely filing is crucial to avoid financial gaps.

7. Can You Work While Receiving SSDI?

You cannot engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) while applying for or receiving SSDI, but SSA offers work incentives like the Trial Work Period to test working without immediately losing benefits once you are approved.