Are Stay-at-home parents ineligible

[elephant911]

I've been a stay at home dad for the past 7 years, diagnosed 4ish years ago. Does having not worked in 7 years makes me ineligible to ever qualify for SSDI should my disability progress?

My wife works and we file jointly, but I don't think that helps.

Thank you.

[arohk]

although I am not to framiliar with the U.S. social security benifits here are a few links of some info that may help you out with your question.

http://www.freedomdisability.com/soc...-work-factors/

http://www.allsup.com/about-ssdi/faqs.aspx

http://www.social-security-disabilit...explained.html

[MSer102]

The Social Security website tells you what the eligibility requirements are. You have to have worked 5 out of the 10 years before becoming disabled. If you already haven't worked 7 out of 10 years you don't qualify for SSDI even if you worked before that. I think that's one of the saddest stories about stay at home parents who become disabled. Its something stay at homers don't usually think about.

If you aren't already disabled maybe now is the time to go back to work and try to get your 5 years in so you can qualify for SSDI. You can't claim disability on your spouse's Social Security account. And how you file your taxes doesn't count for Social Security.