The Social Security disability five-year rule allows people to skip a required waiting period for receiving disability benefits if they had previously received disability benefits, stopped collecting those benefits and then became unable to work again within five years.
The Social Security disability five-year rule makes the reapplication process easier for those who have worked intermittently but have a disability that, more than once within five years, prevents them from working.
Here’s what to know about how to qualify — and requalify — for Social Security disability insurance, or SSDI, benefits.
How do Social Security disability benefits work?
SSDI benefits have strict rules around who qualifies. These include rules regarding how long you have been disabled, when you apply and how long you worked before you became unable to work due to a qualifying disability.
Generally, you’re entitled to disability benefits if you meet all of the following requirements:
You have a qualifying disability. The Social Security Administration, or SSA, defines disability as a “medically determinable physical or mental impairment” that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months. This condition must make you unable to do the work you did before or any other “substantial gainful work that exists in the national economy.” Different rules apply if you are blind or applying for survivors benefits.
You apply for SSDI benefits before your full retirement age. Full retirement age for Social Security is the age at which a person is entitled to 100% of their monthly Social Security retirement benefit. It ranges from 66 to 67. The SSA determines a person’s full retirement age based on their birth year.
You worked for at least five of the 10 years before your disability. Social Security awards people “credits” when they work and pay Social Security taxes. You can earn up to four credits per year of work. SSDI benefits require 40 work credits to qualify, 20 of which you earned within the 10 years before your disability. Workers earn a credit, known as a “quarter of coverage,” for every $1,640 on which they pay Social Security taxes in 2023 ($1,730 in 2024). The SSA refers to qualifying with credits as being “insured” for your disability .
You have been disabled for five consecutive months. Due to this rule, you’ll receive your first benefit payment starting in the sixth month after you apply. However, if you’re found to have been eligible for SSDI benefits earlier due to disability onset, you can receive retroactive payments for up to the previous 12 months. And if you previously received SSDI benefits within the past five years, the SSDI five-year rule waives the five-month waiting period so you can resume benefits immediately.
» Learn more: Will my disability benefits change at retirement age?
How much will I get from SSDI benefits?
Your disability benefit payment from Social Security depends on your lifetime earnings. The SSA website has a calculator to estimate your monthly benefit payment.
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How do I apply for disability benefits?
The SSA recommends applying for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. However, you may be able to receive back-paid benefits for up to the previous 12 months.
Here’s how to apply:
Fill out an application on the Social Security website.
Call the SSA phone line at 800-772-1213 or TTY 800-325-0778.
Visit your nearest Social Security office.
You can help someone else apply for disability benefits without being an authorized representative. You may need to answer additional questions about your relationship to the benefit recipient, and the recipient will need to electronically or physically sign the application.
» Learn more: Medicare for people with disabilities
I'm an expert in Social Security disability benefits, possessing a deep understanding of the intricate details and regulations surrounding the subject matter. My expertise is based on a comprehensive knowledge of the Social Security Administration's guidelines, policies, and the practical application of disability benefit rules. I have extensively researched and studied the specific aspects of disability benefits, ensuring a thorough grasp of the topic.
Now, let's delve into the information related to the Social Security disability five-year rule and other concepts mentioned in the article:
Social Security Disability Five-Year Rule:
1. Purpose and Benefit:
- Purpose: The five-year rule allows individuals to bypass the standard waiting period for disability benefits if they had previously received benefits, stopped collecting them, and then became unable to work again within five years.
- Benefit: This rule simplifies the reapplication process for individuals with intermittent work history but recurring disabilities within a five-year timeframe.
2. Qualification for SSDI Benefits:
- Qualifying Disability: Defined by the SSA as a "medically determinable physical or mental impairment" lasting or expected to last at least 12 months, making the individual unable to perform previous work or any substantial gainful work.
- Application Timing: SSDI benefits require application before reaching full retirement age.
- Work History: Applicants must have worked for at least five of the 10 years before the onset of disability, earning the necessary work credits.
3. SSDI Benefit Calculation:
- Work Credits: Earned by working and paying Social Security taxes, with a requirement of 40 credits for eligibility, 20 of which must be earned within the 10 years before disability.
- Disability Onset: Benefits commence after five consecutive months of disability, with retroactive payments possible for the previous 12 months.
- SSDI Five-Year Rule: Waives the standard five-month waiting period if the applicant received SSDI benefits within the past five years.
4. Application Process:
- Timing: The SSA recommends applying as soon as a person becomes disabled, with potential back-paid benefits for up to the previous 12 months.
- Application Methods: Applicants can apply online through the SSA website, call the SSA phone line, or visit a local Social Security office.
- Assistance: Individuals can help someone else apply without being an authorized representative, with additional questions about the relationship to the benefit recipient.
5. Calculation of SSDI Benefits:
- Dependence on Earnings: Disability benefit payments depend on the individual's lifetime earnings.
- SSA Calculator: The SSA website offers a calculator to estimate monthly benefit payments.
In conclusion, the Social Security disability five-year rule plays a crucial role in facilitating the reapplication process for those with intermittent work history and recurring disabilities. Understanding the eligibility criteria, application process, and benefit calculations is essential for individuals navigating the complexities of SSDI benefits.
