Debt relief glossary
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
Federal disability benefit for workers who have paid into Social Security and can no longer work.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that pays monthly benefits to workers who have become disabled and can no longer perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). Eligibility requires enough work credits (generally 40 credits, 20 earned in the last 10 years) and a medically determinable impairment expected to last 12+ months or result in death. Monthly benefits are based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — a formula applied to your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). There is a mandatory 5-month waiting period from the Established Onset Date before benefits begin. Back pay covers the period between the EOD (plus 5 months) and approval, capped at 12 months before application.