Are You Eligible for Disability If You’re Unemployed?

Being out of work and dealing with a serious health condition creates a stress and uncertainty. You need income to survive, but your medical issues prevent you from holding down a job. Many people assume that unemployment disqualifies them from receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, but this isn’t true.

The reality is more complicated than a simple yes or no answer. Your employment status matters less than your work history and medical condition. The Keener Law Firm has spent over 30 years helping disabled individuals throughout Georgia and across the United States obtain the benefits they deserve, and one of the most common misconceptions we see involves unemployment and disability benefits.

Does Being Unemployed Prevent You from Getting SSDI Benefits?

Not at all. You can receive disability benefits while unemployed, and in fact, most people who apply for SSDI are not currently working. The Social Security Administration (SSA) expects that truly disabled individuals cannot maintain employment, so being jobless often supports your claim rather than hurting it.

What matters is whether you have sufficient work credits from previous employment. In 2025, you earn one work credit for each $1,810 in wages or self-employment income, up to a maximum of four credits per year. These credits stay on your record permanently, even during periods of unemployment.

How Many Work Credits Do You Need to Get Disability?

The number of work credits required depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits total, with 20 of those earned in the 10 years immediately before your disability began. This is called the “recent work test.”

If you’re younger, you need fewer credits. Someone who becomes disabled at age 30 needs at least eight credits (two years of work), while someone disabled at age 40 needs 18 credits (four and a half years). The Social Security Administration recognizes that younger workers haven’t had as much time to accumulate work history.

The attorneys at The Keener Law Firm understand how work credit calculations can make or break a disability claim. When your work history sits in that gray area where you might or might not have enough credits, proper documentation and presentation of your case becomes essential.

What If You Haven’t Worked in Several Years?

Here’s where timing becomes important. If you stopped working five or more years ago, you might still have enough work credits, but your “last insured date” becomes an important factor. You must prove that your disability began before your last insured date by producing medical records that document the onset of your disabling impairment.

This requirement trips up many applicants who wait too long to apply. Your medical records must show that you became disabled while you still had sufficient recent work credits. Waiting several years after leaving the workforce can make proving this connection extremely difficult.

Can You Collect Unemployment Benefits and Apply for SSDI at the Same Time?

This creates a tricky situation. When you file for unemployment, you certify that you are willing and able to work. However, when you file for Social Security Disability, you claim you cannot work substantially for at least a year. These statements contradict each other. This is a red flag with disability judges.

That said, you cannot be denied Social Security disability benefits solely because you received unemployment compensation. The SSA looks at your entire situation, including your medical conditions, treatment records, and work history. Many applicants initially believe they can return to work only to discover they overestimated their ability to recover and underestimated the severity of their illness. Administrative Law Judges usually do not penalize people for initially misjudging their work capabilities.

The wait for disability benefits often stretches into years, while unemployment provides immediate financial relief. The experienced team at The Keener Law Firm knows how to address these complications and present persuasive arguments about why collecting unemployment doesn’t preclude your being disabled. Local knowledge about how specific judges consider these situations can make a significant difference in your case outcome.

What Is Substantial Gainful Activity and Why Does It Matter?

The SSA uses a measure called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to determine if you’re working too much to be considered disabled. If you are working in 2025 and your earnings average more than $1,620 per month ($2,700 if you’re blind), you generally cannot be considered to have a disability.

This limit applies to current work, not past employment. If you’re completely unemployed, SGA isn’t an issue. But if you’re attempting part-time work or self-employment while applying for benefits, staying below these thresholds is a must.

What If You Don’t Have Enough Work Credits for SSDI?

Not having sufficient work history for SSDI doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate federal benefits program that is needs-based and does not focus on work history. Instead, SSI focuses on your financial situation.

To receive SSI, you usually cannot have more than $2,000 worth of available financial resources, excluding one vehicle and your residence. Your monthly income also cannot exceed certain limits. While SSI pays less than SSDI on average, it provides assistance to disabled individuals who never had the opportunity to build up sufficient work credits.

How Does Unemployment Affect Your Disability Claim Strategy?

If you’re currently receiving unemployment benefits and considering filing for disability, be sure to talk to an experienced disability attorney before you do so. The statements you make to your state unemployment office become part of your record and can be used against you in a disability hearing.

Some judges take a harder line on unemployment benefits than others. Knowing which administrative law judges handle cases in your jurisdiction helps an attorney craft the most effective arguments for your specific situation. Explaining that you tried to return to work but discovered your limitations proved insurmountable can be a persuasive argument with the right judge.

What Medical Evidence Do You Need to Prove You’re Disabled?

Being unemployed isn’t enough to get disability benefits. You must prove your medical condition prevents you from working. Your physical or mental impairment must significantly limit your ability to do basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering, for at least 12 consecutive months.

The SSA maintains a Blue Book listing specific conditions and the medical criteria required to prove them. Your treating physicians’ records, diagnostic test results, and statements about your functional limitations form the foundation of your medical evidence. Missing or incomplete medical documentation is one of the primary reasons claims get denied.

Why Do Most Initial Applications Get Denied?

Most initial disability claims get denied, which catches many applicants by surprise. The SSA applies strict standards, and even legitimate disabilities may not initially meet their criteria due to insufficient documentation or application errors.

This high denial rate makes experienced legal representation valuable from the start. An attorney who handles disability claims regularly knows what evidence the SSA needs to see and how to present your case in the strongest possible light.

What Should You Do If You’re Unemployed and Disabled?

Don’t wait to apply. Every month you delay is another month without benefits. Even if you’re unsure whether you meet all the requirements, filing an application starts the clock and preserves your filing date for potential back payments.

Gather your medical records, employment history, and work credit information before applying. Having everything organized speeds up the process and reduces the chance of errors that lead to denials.

Most importantly, get professional help. The Keener Law Firm provides free consultations and case reviews, and operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless your case is won. You’ll receive experienced legal representation without upfront costs, giving you the best chance to secure the benefits you need while dealing with unemployment and disability.

Sources

• Social Security Administration https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html
• Nolo. “Can You Get Disability Benefits on Unemployment?” August 15, 2025. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/can-i-apply-social-security-disability-while-collecting-unemployment.html
• Disability Resources https://www.disabilityresources.org/ssdi-and-ssi-eligibility-requirements-complete-2025-guide.html
• Law Office of Kathleen Flynn. “Can I receive Unemployment Compensation Benefits and Disability Benefits?” November 27, 2023. https://www.kathleenflynnlaw.com/can-i-receive-unemployment-compensation-and-disability-benefits/
• Disability Benefits Center. https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/faq/receive-social-security-disability-havent-worked