1. Work Credit Requirements

To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security. The SSA measures this through work credits.

How Work Credits Are Calculated

• You earn one work credit for a specific amount of earnings each year. In 2025, you earn one credit for each $1,730 earned, up to a maximum of four credits per year.
• Generally, you need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before your disability began.

Exceptions for Younger Workers

If you become disabled at a younger age, you may qualify with fewer credits:

• Before age 24: You may qualify if you have 6 credits earned in the 3 years prior to disability.
• Ages 24 to 31: You may qualify if you have credit for working half the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled.
• Age 31 or older: Generally requires at least 20 credits earned in the 10 years prior to disability onset.

2. Definition of Disability

To qualify for SSDI in Nevada, your medical condition must meet SSA’s strict definition of disability. Specifically:

• You must have a severe medical impairment that prevents you from engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2025, SGA is defined as earning more than $1,470 per month ($2,460 for blind individuals).
• Your condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 continuous months or result in death.
• The SSA does not provide benefits for partial or short-term disabilities under SSDI.

3. Qualifying Medical Conditions

SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, often called the Blue Book, which includes medical conditions that are considered severe enough to prevent work. These include but are not limited to:

• Musculoskeletal disorders: Severe back injuries, joint dysfunction, spinal disorders
• Neurological disorders: Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease
• Cardiovascular conditions: Chronic heart failure, coronary artery disease
• Respiratory disorders: COPD, severe asthma
• Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
• Cancer: Certain advanced or aggressive cancers

Even if your specific condition is not listed, you may still qualify if it limits your ability to perform basic work activities significantly.

4. Inability to Work

SSA evaluates your ability to:

• Perform previous work (past relevant work)
• Perform any other work available in the national economy considering your age, education, and work experience

If your condition prevents you from doing any of these types of work, you may meet the disability requirements for SSDI.

5. Other Non-Medical Requirements

To be eligible for SSDI:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or qualifying legal resident
• You cannot currently be receiving Substantial Gainful Activity income above the allowed monthly threshold

6. How Does SSA Determine Eligibility?

SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation process:

1. Are you working above SGA levels?
2. Is your condition severe?
3. Does it meet or equal a listed impairment?
4. Can you perform your past work?
5. Can you do any other work in the economy?

If the answer is “no” at step 1 and “yes” at steps 2 and 3 (or steps 4 and 5 determine you cannot work), you will be approved.