Can I apply for disability if I haven’t worked 5 of the last 10 years?
Yes. You can apply for SSI. Also, under certain circumstances you can apply for SSDI (regular social security disability benefits) if you were previously receiving social security disability benefits. Any period of time that a person was previously receiving social security disability benefits is not counted in calculating 5 of the last 10 years (20 out of the last 40 quarters). Also, if a person has not worked 5 out of the last 10 years they can apply for widow’s disability benefits on a deceased spouse’s social security number.