My DH told me that since I hardly ever worked, I could not get SSDI, is that right. I have epilepsy & cannot drive but I 'could' work. However I once almost fell off a ladder because of a seizure, when stocking shelves. Right now I volunteer a few hours at a hosp. simply taking people back & getting their gowns for a mammogram. Someone I met online who has epilepsy too, gets SSDI & works part time (her restriction is she can't work Full Time).

To be eligible for SSDI a person has to have so many work credits over the previous 5 or 10 years... (I can't remember the # of years exactly) so if you didn't work much or at all over the years you would most likely not be eligible.

I thought I once had the credits needed. However, my last ss statement said I did not qualify for disability based on not having enough points.

I'm not talking about social security, I'm talking about social secuity disability. Isn't it SS that has to do with the amount of work (thus credits) and not SSD?

Your SS statement includes how much you have put in for disability. It's all based on points. I, because I haven't worked in awhile have lost that option. BUT, I still qualify for retirement and if I die Jim can draw off me as a widower.

When you work they take out state taxes, fed taxes, social security and disability. Your points grow the longer you work.

If you want you can go on ssa.gov and request a statement. They will mail it to your home. It will detail out everything you are potentially entitled to.

Social Security is one program with three categories of benefits, Retirement, Survivors and Disability. In order for anyone to qualify for Social Security benefits, the wage-earner has to have enough quarters of coverage or credits. A minimum of 40 credits is required for retirement, which roughly translates into 10 years of work. The credit requirement is somewhat different for disability and survivors if the wage-earner is young.

The last word in the acronym, SSDI is Insurance. Social Security Disability Insurance also has some similarities to your car insurance. Your premiums have to be up-to-date in order for your to collect in case of an accident. SSDI has both a minimum lifetime requirement for credits but also a recent requirement for credits. Generally, you have to earned 20 credits in the 40 quarters before your date of onset of disability, roughly translates into 5 out of the 10 years before you became disabled.

If you had enough credits to be insured for disability through 12/31/2003 and have not worked since that date, you ran out of insured status and can't get Social Security Disability if you became disabled today just like you can't get paid for a car accident after your insurance lapses.

You probably get an annual Social Security Statement mailed to you that explains your insured status. If you don't, you can request one. If you are able to work and choose to volunteer instead, you probably will never qualify for SSDI since you are not paying in to the Social Security program.

Now, there is also the welfare program for disabled, SSI or Supplemental Security Income, also administered by the Social Security Administration and often confused with SSDI. That program can pay to anyone who is disabled and low income and limited resources whether or not they have EVER paid a dime in any kind of tax, payroll or income. Lots more rules. Lots more inquiring into your personal life. Lots more restrictions. And, you have to be unable to be gainfully employed.

Suggestion, if you can work, do it and earn your credits so if your condition progresses and you can't work at all any more, you may build up enough credits for SSDI.

I do want to say I have hardly worked. (I had to get a new card cuz my purse was stolen & the lady mentioned "you can't even get SS") My condition started in grade school (Epilepsy). I never worked because I am unable to drive (my Dr told me I can't).

I would try for SSI to start with. If you have no income and your husband's is low enough you may qualify.

Have a one on one with them, then follow it up with DSS.

There are very few jobs that require you to be able to drive. Employers may be worried if you don't have reliable transportation, but not being able to drive does not stop you from getting many jobs. Many people take public transportation every day to work. If it is not available in your city, it doesn't mean you can't work.

Perhaps you should file and at least get a decision. You have stated that your limitations are that you cannot drive and should not climb ladders, but that you can work. I will not tell you not to file a claim, but you are the one who says you can work. It may be hard to qualify with those few limitations. Lots of jobs don't require driving or climbing ladders. Perhaps you should look for work too and earn the credits you are missing so that if your condition gets worse later, you may have enough credits for at least a small Social Security check.