🧠 What Does the Social Security Administration Need?

When assessing your entitlement to a disability pension, two key aspects are evaluated:

1. Medical condition – whether your health status meets the legal definition of disability.

2. Insurance history – you must have worked (i.e. paid insurance) for a certain period to qualify.

And this is where your income matters – it’s about proving your participation in the pension insurance system.

📂 What If You Didn’t Work “Traditionally”?

1. Work under a casual contract – you must prove whether insurance contributions were made (DPP/DPC above threshold).

2. Studies – some study periods can count, but only partially and under specific conditions.

3. Caring for a child or relative – this can count as a substitute insurance period, but you must provide proof.

4. Working abroad – recognition depends on the specific country (EU, treaty country, non-treaty country).

5. Receiving benefits – even unemployment benefits can count in some cases, but there are exclusions.

❌ Common Mistakes

• “We just wrote that he stayed at home.” → Without evidence of caregiving, this won’t count.

• “She worked under the table, no contract.” → Without documentation, the period is not recognized.

• “She paid insurance abroad.” → Without official forms (e.g. E104), foreign periods won’t be recognized.

⚖️ Recommendation from the Attorney

“In every case, I look for anything that can be documented as an insurance period. A doctor’s note, confirmation from a former employer, labor office, or school often helps. If you don’t have income, drafting the application correctly is even more important.”
– says the attorney