For Social Security Disability, an individual must have a minimum number of credits or years of work, in order to meet what is called "Insured Status". Younger people do not require as many years of work as older people. If the disabled person never worked at all, there can be no Social Security Disability paid.

If an adult became disabled as a child, AND that adult's mother or father is currently deceased and had enough credits, or receiving Social Security Retirement or Social Security Disability benefits, and certain other requirements are met, it is possible for that adult child to get Social Security benefits based on a parent's credits and work record if it can be established that the disability began before age 22. This frequently happens to the develpmentally disabled who have been disabled their entire lives.

There is another program that assists low income disabled. This is called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which can pay monthly benefits to a disabled adult who has limited income and limited assets (resources). It is a form of public assistance. It is administered by the Social Security Administration but the money does not come from anyone earning credits by working and paying taxes. It is a welfare disability program and is often confused with other programs.

I do not know of any disability programs for the middle or high income person who has never paid Social Security taxes.