Social security is a government program that provides a number of financial benefits for citizens. Citizens pay into the social security program through mandatory taxation and when they fulfill certain requirements, they can begin to withdraw from the program.

While the quintessential social security benefit that is thought of is the retirement program, the social security administration also provides other benefits. These other benefits include disability benefits,  supplemental security income, and medicare.

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)  program is a public, government-funded initiative that pays benefits to insured citizens and their families. In general, the program allows payment to individuals who have paid social security taxes for a sufficient period and have a qualifying medical condition.

The social security administration determines eligibility for SSDI through both general requirements and a five-part test. In general, the requirements for qualifying for SSDI include having a long-term disability and being younger than retirement age.

Additionally, the Social Security Administration has a five-part test to determine eligibility for SSDI. Par one assesses whether the applicant is working or making more than a certain amount per month. Next, the Administration evaluates whether your condition is “severe,” classified as significantly limiting the applicant’s ability to perform basic work activities for at least 12 months, or resulting in the applicant’s death. Part three determines if the condition is listed in the Administration’s list of impairments. Parts four and five determine whether the applicant can do the work they used to do or any work at all respectively. 

Social security determines eligibility using a credit system. In normal circumstances, 4 credits are earned for every year of work. The Social Security Administration cannot pay out to any citizen who has earned fewer than 40 credits. Additionally, the earliest age to receive social security benefits is 62. However, full retirement benefits are not available until age 70.

The amount of SSDI monthly benefits average between $800 and $1,800 per month, and are based on a number of factors including your lifetime average earnings before you became disabled, and the amount of earnings withheld from your paychecks by your employer(s) for social security or FICA taxes.
The amounts are subject to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). There are also a number of factors that could decrease the amounts you receive, such as whether you have income from other sources including workers’ compensation payments, public disability benefits, or payments from government pensions.

Yes, within certain limits. Once you are earning more than a certain amount, the SSA will consider you to be engaged in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). The amount is subject to annual adjustments, and is currently $1,350 per month and will be increased to $1470 for calendar year 2023 (although the limits are higher for those who are legally blind).
Fortunately, the SSA provides a number of incentives and programs to assist SSDI recipients in returning to work, such as the continuation of certain benefits and Medicare coverage, expedited reinstatement of SSDI eligibility if you are unable to keep working after having returned to work, and payments for certain equipment and services to assist and accommodate you in your transition back to full employment.

Unless your benefits are terminated due to your returning to work and earning above the SGA threshold, reaching retirement age (or attaining the age of 18 if you are a disabled child), you may continue to receive benefits as long as you have the disability that prevents you from working.
The SSA conducts periodic continuing disability reviews (CDRs) to determine whetheror not your medical condition has improved such that you are able to return to work for these purposes.

No. Provided they prevent you from working for a period of at least 12 months, you may receive SSDI benefits for disorders that fall under one of a number of categories including, but not limited to, neurocognitive disorders, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders.