Be Cautious When Seeking Social Security Advice

Social Security is a very complex program. With over 70 million American’s receiving monthly benefits and millions more on the cusp of receiving, many are confused about how this incredibly important benefit program works. And nowhere is that confusion more evident than here at the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory Service, where we handle thousands of inquiries each year about SS benefits.

Unfortunately, there are also many “armchair experts” out there who think they know how Social Security works. Considering that Social Security has well over 2,200 separate rules explained in over 110,000 online pages of information, it’s no small wonder that those seeking answers are often given incorrect advice by those not sufficiently experienced in Social Security’s complex labyrinth of regulations, while some also seek and incorrectly interpret Social Security rules explored on their own. Here at the AMAC Foundation our Social Security Advisory staff is highly trained, accredited by the National Social Security Advisor (NSSA®) program, and certified by AMAC’s very rigorous certification program to provide fast and accurate answers to all your Social Security (and Medicare enrollment) questions. Thus, in our articles and work we strive to correct and share the many common misunderstandings we regularly encounter. Some of those common misunderstandings relate to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.[1]

Common Misunderstandings About Social Security Disability

Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits have been part of the Social Security program for 70 years, now providing benefits to over 10 million disabled workers and disabled adult children.[2] Nevertheless, there are still many misunderstandings of how the SSDI program actually works for disabled workers. Some of the most prominent misunderstandings are:

  • SS disability automatically ends at age 65

Reality: Those with a permanent disability can remain on SSDI until they reach their SS full retirement age (between 66 ad 67, depending on their year of birth). At that time, they will be automatically switched to their SS retirement benefit. That switch will be transparent to the beneficiary. Interestingly, some on SSDI also incorrectly believe that SS disability benefits continue even beyond FRA.

  • You can get SS disability, even if you never worked

Reality: Social Security disability benefits must be earned by working and earning. The amount of work required depends on the age at which the person becomes disabled. If the disabled person is under age 24, they must have earned at least 6 work credits[3] in the 3 years immediately prior to the start of their disability; up to age 31 a person must have credits for working half the time between age 21 and the time they became disabled; age 31 or older the person must have 20 credits earned in the 10 years right before their disability began. The SSDI applicant’s disability must be expected to last at least one year to be eligible for benefits, and that must be confirmed by the applicant’s medical service providers.

  • Working while on SS disability is okay

Reality: Limited working while on SSDI is permitted, but monthly earnings from working are restricted to specific amounts (e.g., in 2026 the monthly earnings limit for those on SSDI was $1,690 ($2,830 for blind persons)). Thus, very limited work is okay; full time work is not. SSDI benefits will cease if a beneficiary recurrently exceeds the monthly earnings limitations.

  • SSDI benefits start immediately upon becoming disabled

Reality:  There is a five month waiting period before monthly SSDI benefits begin.[4] The benefit start month is determined from the “disability onset date” as determined by Social Security when processing the SSDI application.

  • My benefit will be higher if I switch to from SSDI to SS retirement

Reality:  SSDI benefits are based on the disabled worker’s earnings record up to the time they became disabled and, thus, provide 100% of the benefits normally not available until full retirement age (FRA). In contrast, SS retirement benefits taken before full retirement age will be reduced. Thus, switching from SSDI to normal Social Security retirement benefits before reaching FRA will result in a smaller monthly SS benefit than the benefit available on SSDI.

SSDI Complexity is Real, but So is Your Disability

Misunderstandings are, perhaps, common in any program as large as Social Security. This article seeks to dispel the most common misunderstandings we see related to the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, but these are by no means comprehensive. SSDI is a complicated program within the already complex general Social Security benefit program, sometimes resulting in honest misinterpretations of the rules. But complexity doesn’t mean that you should defer applying for SS disability if you are truly disabled. The Social Security Administration is, indeed, quite careful to ensure that SSDI benefits are provided only to those who are truly disabled and deserving. Be aware that about 2/3rds of all SSDI applications are initially denied, however there is also a well-established multi-level appeal process to use if your initial SSDI application is denied. An SSDI appeal usually starts with asking Social Security to “reconsider” their initial denial decision (see this) and then, if necessary, the denial can be further appealed to an independent Administrative Law Judge, followed by an appeal to the SS Appeals Council, or even to the Federal Court system. Note there are timeliness considerations for appeals.  And be sure not to misunderstand how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) actually works!

[1] Do not confuse “SSDI” (SS Disability Insurance) with another program known as “Supplemental Security Income” or “SSI.”  SSI is often viewed as a disability program as well, but SSI is actually an assistance program for those with very limited income and very few assets. In contrast, SSDI is an earned benefit insurance program for American workers who become disabled and unable to work before reaching retirement age.

[2] Disabled adult children of parents who are collecting Social Security retirement benefits are also provided benefits through the SSDI program. But the eligibility requirements for disabled adult children, and the associated restrictions, are entirely different from the rules related to SSDI for disabled workers.

[3] Social Security “work credits” are achieved by working. The amount of work earnings required for each work credit varies annually. In 2026, one work credit is awarded for each $1,890 of earnings, but only a maximum of 4 work credits can be earned each year. Thus, for 2026, earnings of $7,560 will achieve the maximum possible “work credits.”

[4] The normal 5 month waiting period is waived for those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (“ALS,” or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”)