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In general, workers who are at least 31 years old must have earned a minimum of 20 work credits within the last ten years before becoming disabled to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Younger disabled workers may require fewer credits, while older workers may require more.
Keep reading to learn more about work credits and the other qualifying factors for determining SSDI eligibility. If you need help with your SSDI application or appealing a denied claim, a Social Security disability lawyer can assist you.
What Are SSDI Work Credits?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses work credits to track your employment history. Because the SSA uses Social Security income taxes to fund the SSDI program, only workers who have paid Social Security taxes qualify. The more work credits you earn, the more likely you are to qualify for SSDI benefits if you become disabled and cannot continue to work.
You gain one credit each time you earn a set amount of money. The amount required to earn a work credit increases each year. As of 2024, you earn one work credit for every $1,730 in income. You can earn a maximum of four credits each year.
Your credits are based on your earnings, not your employer. If you change jobs, your work credits stay with you. Self-employment income counts, too. However, there are special rules for certain areas of employment, including farming and domestic work. Your disability benefits attorney can explain how your work history may affect your ability to qualify for SSDI.
How Many Work Credits Do You Need to Qualify for SSDI Benefits?
The number of credits you need for disability benefits is based on your age when your disability began. In general, you will need fewer work credits if you develop a disabling condition earlier in your career. According to the SSA, the work credits you need are as follows:
- Under age 24: You will need six credits earned in the three years before your disability.
- Age 24 to 30: You must have earned credits for half the time between your twenty-first birthday and the date your disability began. For example, if you become disabled at 30, you will generally need 18 work credits to qualify.
- Age 31 and up: You will need a minimum of 20 credits earned within the last ten years before you became disabled. The older you are, the more credits you may require.
How Can I Prove My Work History?
It is not difficult to establish your work history in most cases. Every time you receive a paycheck from your employer, a portion will be taken out for Social Security taxes. The SSA keeps records of these payments and uses them to tabulate your work credits.
If you want to know exactly how many work credits you have or you are concerned the SSA’s calculation is incorrect, you have options for checking your current credit amount. You can check on the SSA’s website or talk to your disability benefits lawyer.
It is worth noting that these records might not reflect everyone’s full credits. For example, if you are self-employed or worked in the military, your credits may not be visible online. Your lawyer can also help you calculate your work credits in this situation.
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What Other Qualifications do I Need to Meet to Qualify for SSDI?
Getting SSDI benefits requires more than proof of the appropriate number of work credits. You also must establish that you have a disabling condition to qualify for benefits. This disability must prevent you from working for at least a year; benefits are not available for partial or short-term conditions.
The SSA considers a person disabled when:
- They cannot perform substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of their condition.
- They cannot do the work they previously did (or any other work).
- The condition is likely to last at least a year or lead to their death.
The SSA measures SGA by the amount of monthly income a person earns. In 2024, anyone making more than $1,550 per month does not qualify for benefits. If you are blind, you must make less than $2,590 per month to qualify for SSDI.
A disabling condition must be severe and dramatically limit a person’s ability to do things like walk, stand, lift, sit, or remember. To qualify, an individual must have a condition that interferes with their ability to perform any work-related duties.
What If I don’t Have Enough Work Credits for SSDI?
Unfortunately, you cannot receive SSDI benefits if you do not meet the credit requirements. This affects many people who have lived with a disabling condition long enough that they have never had the opportunity to work. If that is the case for you, other types of support may be available.
The SSA offers another program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This government benefit is not tied to your work history, meaning you could qualify even if you have never worked. However, you must meet additional qualifications beyond having a disabling condition.
To qualify for SSI, you must be blind, disabled, or over age 65 and have limited assets and income. If you earn too much or have substantial assets, you will not qualify for this program that assists low-income Americans.
Talk to a Disability Benefits Attorney About Qualifying for SSDI Benefits
If you have spent years in the workforce only to be sidelined with a disabling condition, you deserve to receive compensation based on what you have paid in Social Security taxes. SSDI benefits can provide you with financial support based on your long-term disability, as long as you have enough work credits.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we have experience with navigating the SSDI claims process. If the SSA has denied your claim, we are ready to help you keep up the fight. Putting your trust in our law firm could help you get the disability benefits you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
