Should I apply for SSDI with spinal fusion, stenosis and PTSD? Haven't worked in 17 years

You should definitely apply for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), but there's a significant hurdle you need to understand. To qualify for SSDI, you need to have earned enough work credits within a certain timeframe. Given that you haven't worked in 17 years, you may no longer be insured for SSDI purposes. However, you should look into SSI (Supplemental Security Income) instead. This is a needs-based program that doesn't require recent work credits, but does have strict income and resource limits. Either way, start by: 1. Gathering all your medical records documenting your conditions 2. Making a list of all doctors who've treated you 3. Creating a timeline of your conditions and how they affect daily activities 4. Applying online at ssa.gov or by calling your local SSA office Your spinal fusion, stenosis, knee issues, and PTSD could potentially qualify you if they prevent substantial gainful activity.

I went through this EXACT thing!!! Had spinal fusion (L4-L5) and stenosis plus other issues. The MOST IMPORTANT thing is getting ALL your medical records before applying. The SSA makes it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get approved the first time - I was denied TWICE before finally winning my case. BUT - the work credits issue is a HUGE problem for you. You need 40 total credits AND 20 of those have to be earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled. After 17 years not working, you've probably "aged out" of your credits for SSDI. SSI might be your only option but it has STRICT income limits and they count your husband's income too. It's so frustrating!!!

Based on the information you've provided, here's what you need to know: 1. Work Credits Issue: For SSDI, you generally need 40 work credits with 20 earned in the 10 years before disability onset. After 17 years without work, you've likely fallen outside this window. 2. SSI Alternative: SSI has no work requirement but has strict financial limits (currently about $2,000 in resources for an individual, $3,000 for a couple, with certain exclusions). 3. Medical Qualification: Your conditions (spinal fusion, stenosis, PTSD) must prevent substantial gainful activity (earning more than $1,470/month in 2025). 4. Application Process: Start by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment or apply online at ssa.gov. 5. Medical Documentation: Gather comprehensive records from all your surgeries and treatments since 2019 at minimum. 6. Onset Date: Be prepared to establish when your disability began, which affects eligibility. The approval rate for initial applications is only about 30%, so be prepared for a potentially lengthy process.

I tried calling SSA about disability last month and was on hold for 2 HOURS before getting disconnected! then tried again the next day and got someone who had no idea how to answer my questions. such a nightmare trying to get through to them!!

u should definitely apply but dont get ur hopes up. my mom has similar back problems and got denied 2 times. she had to hire a lawyer to finally get approved. the whole process took like 3 years! its ridiculous

I work at a doctor's office and see patients go through this all the time. Here's my advice: 1) Apply as soon as possible even if you think you'll be denied 2) Get a disability attorney right from the start (they only get paid if you win) 3) Make sure your doctors are clearly documenting your limitations 4) Don't miss any SSA appointments or deadlines You might qualify for SSI instead of SSDI due to the work gap, but don't let that stop you from applying.

To answer your question about whether you can still qualify for SSDI despite the work gap: If you can prove your disability began before your work credits expired, you may still qualify. This is called a "remote date last insured" or "RDLI" case. You would need to provide medical evidence showing your conditions were disabling before your Date Last Insured (DLI). Since you mentioned ongoing health problems since 2008, this might be possible if properly documented. However, proving a disability from many years ago is challenging. You'd need medical records from that period showing your conditions met SSA's disability criteria. This is definitely a situation where a disability attorney's expertise would be valuable. Regardless, applying now creates a record of your claim and preserves potential retroactive benefits if approved.

My sister went thru this last year with her disability claim. The most important thing is to be super detailed about how your conditions affect your daily life. Don't just list diagnoses - explain exactly what you can't do anymore. Like instead of saying "I have back pain" say "I can't sit for more than 20 minutes without severe pain" or "I need to lie down 3-4 times a day for an hour" etc. That's what finally got her approved.

I'm going through a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I've learned. Like you, I haven't worked in many years due to disability, so I'm dealing with the SSI route rather than SSDI. One thing that's been really helpful is keeping a daily symptom diary - writing down pain levels, what activities I attempted, how long I could do them, and what happened afterward. My disability attorney said this kind of documentation is gold when it comes to proving how your conditions actually impact your daily functioning. Also, don't underestimate the PTSD component of your case. Mental health conditions can be just as disabling as physical ones, and the combination of chronic pain and PTSD often creates limitations that are greater than either condition alone. The process is definitely frustrating and takes forever, but don't give up. Your combination of conditions sounds very limiting, and you deserve support. Start that application soon though - even if you get denied initially, it establishes your filing date for any potential back pay.