Filing for SSI Benefits With No Recent Work History

I'm getting close to filing for SSI benefits but I've been unemployed for many years and do not have recent or current W-2's or 1099's. What options or course of action do I have?

SSI benefits are means-tested disability benefits. You don't need a work history to qualify.

SSD benefits are based on your work history. The SSA maintains a record of your credits to determine if you qualify.

Thank you for enabling me to properly understand the difference between SSI and SSA. Actually I was thinking SSA in my original post, but now realize I may qualify for SSI. Now back to my original question, if I do not qualify SSI, what about the W-2 or 1099 issue if filing SSA?

first, do be eligible for either program you have to be medically disabled. The medical standards for both are the same. If you do not qualify for SSI you will most certainly not qualify for SSDI. If you qualify for SSDI, your payments will be based on your earnings. If you do not qualify for SSDI due to not enough income over your working life, SSI is what you would reciveve, as long as your means (income and assets) is within their guidelines.

The SSA already has a record of your earnings and payments into the SS fund.

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Quoting bensontom

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Thank you for enabling me to properly understand the difference between SSI and SSA.

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SSA = the Social Security Administration.
SSD (SSDI) = Disability benefits earned through work.
SSI = Disability benefits potentially available to disabled persons without sufficient work credits to qualify for SSD.

Hello,
I don't have the medical track record to support a medical disability claim. Which (now that I better understand the whole picture) leaves me with with filing for Social Security Retirement benefits; and brings me back to not having required W-2's or 1099's because I have been unemployed for several years, and what does this mean, what does a person this scenario do? I should have the needed credits because worked a lot when younger, just not recently......

unless you have reached an age benefits are available, you will be denied SS benefits. The SSA has a record of your earnings and payments to them over the years. If you wish to dispute what they have on record you will need proof of your earnings and payments. Otherwise you do not need them.


you can go to the SSA website and look up their records of your earnings and payments and what your benefits are calculated to be based on the age you file for benefits.

Thank you, age not an issue, I'm 67. I've been to the SSA calculator and do not even show up on their radar, which doesn't make sense but I've tried it several different times, several different days and weeks and it always comes back "Unable to verify info". So, the returns the issue, what to do about having no W-2 or 1099 to meet the Social Security Benefits retirement criteria?

well, then you apply for benefits and see where it goes. For whatever reason you cannot access your records so the best thing is to get the ball rolling where somebody from the SSA will be involved and hopefully you find whatever the issue is and get it resolved so you can start collecting your benefits.

I appreciate your efforts and feedback, it is appreciated and thank you. Best wishes!