What Are Non-Medical Requirements for Disability?
To receive Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI) you must meet both medical and non-medical requirements. Typically, Social Security will make sure you meet the non-medical requirements before looking at the medical requirements.
General Non-Medical Requirements for Disability
The non-medical requirements for disability include any criteria not related to your medical or mental health conditions.
Citizenship or Legal Residency
Though many undocumented immigrants work and pay taxes in the US, including FICA taxes, they typically can’t get Social Security benefits. However, you don’t necessarily have to be a U.S. citizen. Some examples of non-citizens who may qualify for Social Security disability include legal permanent residents (green card holders), refugees and those who have been granted asylum. If you are unsure whether or not you may qualify for SSDI with your status, an experienced Social Security disability benefits advocate can help you determine whether you are eligible.
Social Security Work Credits
In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, you need to have accumulated a certain number of work credits across your career, and also a certain minimum number in the 10 years leading up to your disability. You may accumulate up to four work credits per year, and credits are based on the amount of money you earn, not the number of hours or days or weeks you work.
The amount of earnings required to receive one work credit changes over time. In 2025, $1,810 earns you a single work credit. So, you’ll need $7,240 in earnings to get all four credits for the year.
The number of work credits required to get Social Security retirement benefits is 40. That’s true for some people applying for Social Security disability as well, but younger workers need fewer credits. For disability, there’s an added requirement that a certain number of those credits be “recent.” That typically means 20 credits in the past 10 years (though this number is also reduced for younger workers).
You will often hear that shorthanded as “you must have worked five of the previous 10 years,” but that’s not exactly accurate. While you would have to have worked IN at least five of the previous 10 years to accumulate 20 credits, you don’t necessarily need to have worked full years. For example, if you were earning $3,000/month, you could accumulate the maximum four work credits for a year in less than three months of work.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses two different formulas to determine the required number of recent work credits and total work credits.
| If you become disabled… | Recent work credits required are… |
| Before age 24 | 6 total credits in the three-year period leading up to disability |
| Between ages 24 and 31 | The equivalent of half the time between age 21 and onset of your disability |
| At age 31 or older | 20 credits in the 10-year period leading up to disability |
Here’s an example of how the formula works between ages 24 and 31:
Josh became disabled at age 29. There are eight years between age 21 and the onset of Josh’s disability. That means he will need to have accumulated the equivalent of four years worth of work credits, or 16 credits, since he turned 21.
The total work credit requirement is 1.5 years for a person who becomes disabled before the age of 28. That number increases gradually over time. Here are some examples:
| If you become disabled… | Total work credits required are… |
| Age 30 | 8 |
| Age 38 | 16 |
| Age 42 | 20 |
| Age 50 | 28 |
| Age 56 | 34 |
| Age 60 | 38 |
If your disability begins after you have reached your full Social Security retirement age, you will not qualify for disability benefits. Instead, you will have the option of applying for your retirement benefits.
Limits on Income from Work
Technically, the income limit isn’t non-medical. However, your earnings from work are a threshold issue that can prevent your application from ever reaching full medical review. That’s because part of the SSA’s definition of disability is that you are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
The SSA considers your work to be substantial gainful activity if you are able to earn a certain amount in a month. The cut-off changes every year. Here are the figures for 2025 and 2026:
| Year | General SGA Cut-off | SGA Cut-off for Blind Applicants |
| 2025 | $1,620/month | $2,700/month |
| 2026 | $1,690/month | $2,830/month |
If you are earning above the cut-off, the SSA will determine that you are not disabled without looking at the specifics of your medical condition, since you are engaged in substantial gainful activity.
Non-Medical Requirements for SSI
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a financial needs-based program. To qualify for SSI, you must be age 65 and up, blind or disabled. Unlike SSDI, you do not need to have worked or earn any work credits. However, there are strict income and asset limits for SSI eligibility.
What are the Financial Requirements for SSI?
SSI benefits have a very strict set of financial requirements. It is considered a “means-tested” benefit. To meet the SSI income requirements,
- You must have less than $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 for a couple)
- Have a very limited income
- Are a US citizen (there are very few exceptions to this)
These limits are low, but it’s important to note that the SSA disregards certain types of property when counting your assets. For example, the home you live in does not count toward your asset limit. Neither does your vehicle, if you or someone else in your household uses it for transportation.
Can You File for Both SSDI and SSI?
In some cases, you can file for both SSDI and SSI. You may have earned enough credits for SSDI. You may also meet the financial requirements for SSI. Filing for both SSDI and SSI is referred to as filing for “concurrent benefits.” However, to receive concurrent benefits, you must be approved medically for SSDI but receive low monthly payments.
Technical Denials
If you do not meet the non-medical requirements for disability, you will receive a technical denial. Social Security will send you notice of a technical denial pretty quickly. You cannot appeal a technical denial.
Medical Requirements for Disability
If you meet the non-medical requirements for disability, Social Security evaluates the medical requirements. Your claim will be sent to Disability Determination Services (DDS.) DDS contacts your doctors for your medical records. They may schedule examinations with a Social Security consultative examiner. DDS will determine whether you are medically disabled.
Getting Help with your Disability Claim
Working with an experienced advocate can be beneficial. It can help improve your chances of winning your case. Your disability advocate understands both the medical and non-medical requirements for Social Security disability claims. They can help guide you through the process.
Disability Help Group, Call Now for a Free Case Review, (800) 800-3332
Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.
Top 3 Questions About Non-Medical Requirements for Disability
1. What are the main non-medical requirements for SSDI?
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have enough work credits based on your past earnings and recent work history, and you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. You also can’t be earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, $1,690 per month in 2026 ($2,830 if you’re blind).
2. What are the financial limits for SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is needs-based, not work-based. You must have limited income and assets, less than $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for couples. Some property, like your primary home and one vehicle, doesn’t count toward this limit.
3. What happens if I don’t meet the non-medical requirements?
If you don’t meet the citizenship, work credit, or income criteria (non-medical requirements), the SSA will issue a technical denial before even reviewing your medical records. Unfortunately, technical denials cannot be appealed, so it’s important to verify your eligibility before applying.
