Key SSDI Eligibility Requirements in Oregon

1. Work History Requirements

• You must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security.
• You need to have earned enough work credits, which are based on your annual income.
• Generally, you need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled (exceptions apply for younger workers).

2. Medical Disability Requirements

• You must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents you from engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
• In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals.
• Your disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

3. Meeting or Equaling a Listed Impairment

• The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, which describes conditions that automatically qualify as disabling if the criteria are met.
• If your condition is not listed, you must show that it limits your ability to work significantly through medical evidence.

4. Inability to Perform Past or Other Work

• The SSA will assess if your condition prevents you from performing your previous job or any other job that exists in significant numbers in the national economy.

Special Considerations for SSDI in Oregon

• Partial disability is not enough. SSDI only covers total disability.
• Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. The rules adjust based on age.
• SSI is separate from SSDI. If you do not have sufficient work history, you might still qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is based on financial need.