1. Work Credits Requirement

To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. These work credits are earned based on your income, and most people need about 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled.

Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. For example, someone in their 20s may need only 6 credits earned in the 3 years before disability.

2. Medical Disability Requirement

The SSA has a strict definition of disability. To qualify in Mississippi, your medical condition must:

• Prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA) (earning above a set monthly limit).
• Be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• Be backed up by medical evidence such as doctor’s reports, test results, and treatment history.

The SSA also maintains a Listing of Impairments, which includes many conditions that may automatically qualify if your diagnosis matches the criteria.

3. Inability to Do Past Work or Adjust to New Work

Even if your condition is not on the SSA’s official list, you may still qualify if:

• You cannot return to the work you previously performed.
• You cannot adjust to other types of work because of your medical condition, age, education, or skills.

The SSA considers your residual functional capacity (RFC) to determine what level of work you can still do, if any.

4. Documentation and Evidence Needed

Strong documentation is critical for approval. Applicants in Mississippi should gather:



• Medical records from doctors, clinics, or hospitals.
• Work history showing your employment and contributions to Social Security.
• Statements from physicians describing how your condition limits your daily activities.

Missing or incomplete paperwork is one of the most common reasons SSDI applications are denied.