Nurses & Hospital Workers: Navigating Social Security Disability(SSDI) At The End Of Your Career

After decades of caring for patients, many nurses and other hospital workers find themselves dealing with chronic injuries that are very common in the industry. The effects of these medical conditions can be so painful that some healthcare professionals need to stop working entirely prior to early age of retirement.(62 y.o.) If you’re a nurse or hospital worker in this situation, filing an SSDI claim may be your best option. Learn more about what you need to qualify and how our experienced disability attorneys can help.

Why Nurses & Hospital Workers Need SSDI Late in Their Career

Many hospital workers (full time/part time) suffer from injuries and other medical conditions in and out of the workplace. The injury rates for hospital workers are just as high or even higher than other high-risk professions, such as construction work. Most nurses and hospital workers work long hours and have a lot of physically demanding job responsibilities that become harder to handle, especially as they age. For this reason, many healthcare professionals have no choice but to retire early and file to get their old age social security early – otherwise known as Social Security Disability.

How Nurses and Hospital Workers Can Qualify For SSDI Benefits

Nurses and hospital workers have similar requirements as workers from other industries. Here’s what you would need if you want to qualify for SSDI:

Work History & Earning Credits

The Social Security Administration (hereinafter “SSA”) gives you a set amount of work credits as you advance in your career. Workers can earn up to four credits each year, depending on how much they earn. The threshold in 2025 is $1,810, which means you need to earn at least $7,240 to receive the maximum amount.

Depending on your age, workers typically need 40 credits to qualify for full benefits, with 20 credits earned within the last 10 years. In other words, the SSA requires that you have worked consistently and have earned sufficient credits before they consider your disability application.

A Qualifying Medical Condition

You’ll have to prove your condition meets the SSA’s medical criteria to qualify. The SSA’s Blue Book has an extensive list of medical conditions, so most SSDI applicants will be able to find their specific condition. However, if your condition isn’t on the list, you may still be eligible if you prove your disability prevents you from working.

Common medical conditions nurses and hospital workers file claims for include:

• Repetitive stress injuries
• Chronic back pain
• Sprains
• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Mental health illnesses

Proving Your Condition’s Severity

SSDI is generally for applicants who won’t be able to work for at least a year. That said, the SSA wants to know if your condition is severe enough to stop you from working. To determine this, the SSA will evaluate you and consider your doctor’s opinions to determine how much your condition impacts your daily life and ability to work.

Start Your SSDI Claim Today

Are you a nurse or healthcare worker who’s suffering from chronic injuries? Filing for SSDI benefits can secure your family financial stability and early Medicare benefits. Our New York social security disability lawyers will guide you through the process. We’ll file any paperwork, gather the necessary evidence, and ensure you receive the benefits you deserve. Please contact us at 855-367-0135 to schedule a free case review with one of our legal experts.