Years ago in Cal. I knew someone who got SSDI because of addiction, not sure how it was done, I do know he was told he had to be arrested before the would consider it.

dear codger, thanks for your reply....woul you possibly be able to email connect me to this man. i am looking for current information, from this decade ttruthfully, but the process of info gathering can start there.

This was more than 20 years ago and I don't have any idea where he may be,or if he is even alive anymore, it was down in Quincy, Cal. and I have not been down there for almost that long.

edited to add: they have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from engaging in any "substantial gainful activity" ("SGA&quot , and
the condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and
they are under the age of 65, and
generally, they have accumulated 20 social security credits in the last 10 years prior to the onset of disability (normally four credits per full or partial year); one additional credit is required for every year by which the worker's age exceeds 42.[1][2]

i knew someone from DU would have answers. thank you for posting this information.

I have been able to get SSDI due to addiction and mental illness. I was 25. I was also had 10 years of mental records to back up my claim along with 2 treatments and 25 mental health hospitalization.