SSDI Eligibility Rules in Indiana

1. Work History and Work Credits

To qualify for SSDI benefits in Indiana, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to earn sufficient work credits.

• Work credits are earned based on your total yearly earnings.
• Typically, you need to have worked for at least 5 out of the last 10 years before becoming disabled.
• Younger workers may need fewer credits, depending on their age.

2. Severe Disability That Prevents Work

Your condition must be severe enough to:

• Prevent you from doing your previous job.
• Prevent you from adjusting to other work.
• Be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

3. Medical Evidence to Support Your Claim

The SSA will need thorough medical evidence to support your claim.

• Doctor’s reports, test results, and detailed medical history are vital.
• You must prove that your disability is severe and prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity.

4. SSA’s Definition of Disability

The SSA uses a strict definition of disability, which includes the following steps:

• Step 1: Determine if you are working and earning above the SSA’s Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level.
• Step 2: Your condition must be severe enough to limit your ability to perform basic work tasks.
• Step 3: If your condition matches an impairment listed in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, you may qualify for SSDI.
• Step 4: The SSA will review whether you can still perform any past relevant work.
• Step 5: If you cannot perform past work, they will check whether you can do any other type of work considering your age, education, and transferable skills.

5. Age Considerations

The SSA considers your age when determining SSDI eligibility. Younger workers may be able to qualify with fewer work credits, while older workers may need additional credits to meet the SSDI eligibility requirements.