To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you must have health problems serious enough to prevent you from doing any kind of work for at least a year.
For one type of benefit—Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)—you also must have a record of substantial recent work and payments into the Social Security system.
For another form of benefit—Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—you don’t need significant work history but must show that you have limited income and assets.