if someone retires from one job after 35years,53 year old, they had a high yearly income, maxing FICA withholding every year, starts work at couple other lower paying job for 3 years on the books, and now currently works a cash only job.
i am wondering how this would affect their applying for ssdi if they got injured or became ill? would they screw themselves? just looking at interesting scenarios that no one thinks to look at unless they have been through the ssdi/disability mill.

I think if you are working cash only and "off the books" - there is no record of your income.

I think it would mean there are no taxes taken out and no record of any payments - but you should ask employer to be sure of any tax consequences.

yes that is correct , if you are working cash only, they are not paying taxes .
my question is if someone takes a retirement package from their high paying job of 30 plus years , what are the implications of showing yourself not working as far as ssdi is concerned? if you take a buyout pension package at 53 years of age and still need to work to make a living, if you work at a job off the books for 5 years and than get sick or have a injury that would qualify you for ssdi, you may not be eligible since according to taxes you haven't worked in five years . I guess my question is the eligibility requirements for ssdi, you still need to work so many quarters in the last x number of years to remain eligible.

I think you are probably correct - have you looked on any dedicated websites specific for ssdi - there might be more detailed info for your circumstances.
Hopefully more will reply here also.

I got pretty screwed from this similar senario. I worked decent quarters. I got hurt and was off, no income for two years, and 18 months of half income, then three months of reg income I became disabled. They avg the quaters and I lost tons of what I would have collected had I stayed off on disability and not returned to work. They avg the zero years!

I never applied the first time. Just off work at 50 years old, no income. I am now on ssdi and work part time now to make up the difference. The case worker said there are three formulas and they have to use the one more beneficial to claimant...it sucked, I was at a little over $500 instead of the $1,050 in 1997.
Dianne
Don't know if it applies to you though,
Dianne