Which group is primarily eligible for disability benefits under Social Security?

The primary eligibility for disability benefits under Social Security is indeed focused on younger workers and their eligible dependents who meet the definition of disability as set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This group is particularly targeted because Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is designed to provide income support to individuals who are unable to work due to a qualifying disability, which must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Younger workers may not have accumulated enough work credits to qualify for retirement benefits but can qualify for disability benefits if they have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and have a medical condition that meets the SSA's criteria. Furthermore, their dependent family members, such as spouses or children, may also be eligible for benefits based on the disabled worker's record.

In contrast, individuals over retirement age are not eligible for disability benefits because they would normally transition to retirement benefits at that point. Workers with temporary illnesses typically do not qualify for SSDI benefits as the disability must be long-term rather than short-term. Retired workers who become disabled would access retirement benefits rather than disability benefits, as they are no longer in the labor force primarily due to age and not because of a disability that prevented them from working earlier.