You Don’t Have To Figure This Out Alone.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) pays benefits based on your work history and Social Security taxes paid. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is need-based — no work history required. In 2026 the maximum federal SSI payment is $967/month for an individual. Both programs use the same medical definition of disability under 42 U.S.C. §423.

Most adults under 62 need 40 work credits — 20 of which must be earned in the 10 years before disability onset. In 2026, one credit equals $1,810 in covered earnings; you can earn up to 4 credits per year. Younger workers need fewer credits under a sliding scale in 42 U.S.C. §423(c).

SGA is an earnings threshold SSA uses to decide if you are working too much to be disabled. In 2026 the SGA limit is $1,620/month for non-blind claimants and $2,700/month for blind claimants. Earning above SGA when you apply results in an automatic denial at Step 1 of SSA’s five-step evaluation.

SSA does not pay SSDI benefits for the first 5 full calendar months after your established onset date. This is required by 42 U.S.C. §423(a)(1). The sixth month after onset is your first potential payment month. The waiting period does not apply to SSI.

SSDI back pay covers the months between your established onset date (plus the 5-month waiting period) and the date SSA approves your claim, paid as a lump sum. Retroactive benefits are capped at 12 months before your application date. Attorney fees are capped at 25% of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less.

SSA denies approximately 65-67% of initial SSDI applications. Reconsideration denial rates run even higher, around 87%. At the ALJ hearing level, roughly 45% of cases are denied — meaning most claimants who reach a hearing win. Represented claimants are approved at significantly higher rates than unrepresented ones.

An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your disability claim fresh. Hearings typically last 45-75 minutes. A Vocational Expert almost always testifies about jobs you might still be able to do. You have the right to be represented under 20 C.F.R. §404.950.

The Grid Rules (20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2) are tables SSA uses at Step 5 to direct a disability finding based on your residual functional capacity, age, education, and prior work skill level. Claimants aged 50+ with a sedentary or light RFC and unskilled work history often get approved under these rules.

In New York, initial SSDI decisions take about 3-6 months. Reconsideration adds another 3-5 months. If you need an ALJ hearing, wait times at the New York City and Long Island hearing offices currently average 18-24 months from request to hearing.