Eligibility Requirements for Disability Benefits in Michigan

To qualify for disability benefits, you must meet both medical and non-medical requirements set by the SSA:

1. Medical Qualification

Your medical condition must:

• Be severe enough to prevent you from doing “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) — meaning you cannot work at a job that pays above a certain monthly amount.
• Be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• Meet or equal one of the conditions on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, which includes a wide range of physical and mental disorders such as severe arthritis, cancer, heart conditions, mental illnesses, and neurological disorders.
• If your condition isn’t listed, the SSA will assess whether your impairment is equally severe as a listed condition and whether it prevents you from performing your previous work or any other work.

2. Work and Earnings History

For SSDI:

• You must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned sufficient “work credits” through paying Social Security taxes.
• Usually, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years, but younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

For SSI:

• Eligibility is based on financial need and income/assets, not work history.

Other Key Factors

• Age and education: These can affect SSA’s decision about whether you can adjust to other work.
• Residency: You must reside in Michigan or be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration status requirements.

How to Improve Your Chances

• Provide complete medical records and doctors’ statements documenting how your condition limits your ability to work.
• Follow prescribed treatments and keep detailed medical appointments.
• Be honest and thorough in your application.