I used to work, but now stay home with the kids. Can I get Social Security disability benefits?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I used to work, but lately I have been staying home taking care of the kids. I recently became sick. Can I get Social Security disability benefits?

Answering your question.

The short answer is: Yes, you might qualify — if you worked enough in the past and your illness is severe enough to keep you from working full-time for at least 12 months.

Step 1: Did You Work Enough in the Past?

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you need to have worked and paid into Social Security taxes through a job (usually shown on your paycheck as “FICA”).

You need:

• Work credits, which you earn by working.
• Most people need about 10 years of work to qualify for SSDI.
• BUT if you are younger, you don’t need as many years.

You must have worked recently enough. If it’s been too many years since your last job, you may no longer be “insured” for SSDI.

Example:

Let’s say:

• You worked full-time for 8 years.
• You stayed home to raise kids for the last 5 years.
• Now you’re sick and can’t work anymore.

You might still qualify, because you worked enough and not too long ago.

BUT…

If it’s been 10 years or more since you last worked: You probably won’t qualify for SSDI — unless you worked a long time before that and are older.

What If You Haven’t Worked Enough or Recently?

You may still qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) if:

• You are disabled,
• You have little or no income, and
• You don’t have much in savings (less than $2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple)

SSI is based on need, not work history.

Step 2: Is Your Illness Serious Enough?

No matter which program you apply for (SSDI or SSI), your medical condition must:

• Be serious enough to keep you from any full-time work
• Last or be expected to last at least 12 months, or be terminal

It doesn’t matter if you used to work in a specific job — if you can’t do any kind of full-time work, you may qualify.

What You Can Do Now:

Check your Social Security work record
You can make a free account at ssa.gov/myaccount to see if you’re still “insured” for SSDI.

Talk to your doctor
Make sure they are documenting your condition and how it affects your ability to work.

Apply for benefits
You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone, or at your local Social Security office. You can also get help from a disability lawyer (they don’t charge upfront fees).

Simple Summary:

Question	Answer
Did you work and pay Social Security taxes?	You may qualify for SSDI
Has it been a long time since you worked?	You may need to apply for SSI
Are you too sick to work full-time for 12+ months?	You may qualify for disability benefits
Can you apply even though you’re not working now?	Yes — if your work history and illness meet the rules