How Many Work Credits Do I Need for SSDI?

You generally need 40 work credits to become eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Additionally, you have to earn half of those credits within the 10 years before you apply for disability benefits.

In some cases, you may become eligible for benefits with fewer credits. A Social Security Disability applications lawyer can provide more information about how many work credits you need for SSDI and other eligibility requirements.

How Many Work Credits Do You Need for SSD Benefits?

The number of credits required to receive SSD benefits can be lower than the retirement number. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses two tests to determine how many credits you need: a recent work test and a duration work test. Your age plays a significant role in determining the number of credits you need.

Many workers require at least 40 work credits to qualify for benefits. However, the following exceptions can apply:

Workers Under 24

If you sustain a disabling injury before you turn 24, you may qualify for SSDI benefits if you earned a minimum of six credits in the three years ending before the onset of your disability.

Workers Between the Ages of 24 and 31

If you sustain a disability between the ages of 24 and 31, you may be eligible if you have credit for working half of the time between the age of 21 and the onset of your disability. For example, if you become disabled at age 29, you would need four years of work, earning 12 work credits, from the previous eight years.

An attorney can give you more information about how someone becomes eligible for disability benefits, regardless of age.

You Also Need to Pass the Duration of Work Test

You need a certain number of years’ worth of work credits to meet the duration of work test. The number depends on your age when your disability started. For this test, your work does not have to fall within a set period. The SSA.gov website provides a chart estimating the years required to pass the test.

You can get more information about this test and how many work credits you need for SSDI benefits from a skilled legal professional. 

What Are Work Credits?

Work credits are units representing time worked and money you have paid into the Social Security Administration. To collect Social Security benefits upon retirement, you must have earned at least 40 credits. You will likely earn more credits than needed for retirement benefits.

However, these extra credits do not increase your retirement payments, which depend on an average of your income over your years of work. The amount of income required to earn a credit can change every year. You can earn up to four credits per year.

Not every job pays into Social Security, and there are other jobs for which the SSA calculates credits differently.

How Do I Qualify for Benefits?

To meet eligibility requirements, you must:

• Have worked jobs that paid into SSA
• Have enough work credits earned
• Have a condition meeting the SSA’s criteria for disability, and that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• Be unable to perform substantial, gainful activity (SGA) because of your condition.
• Be under the age for full retirement

An attorney can review your work history and other factors to determine if you qualify for these benefits. A lawyer can also explain the signs that you’ll be approved for disability benefits.

Have You Worked Enough to Be Eligible for SSD Benefits?

Though SSA guidelines can give you insight as to whether you have worked enough to receive benefits, there are often variables or special circumstances that come into play. To ensure you do not lose any opportunities for support, it is best to have an experienced SSD lawyer review your case.

Your lawyer will know how to factor in all of your circumstances and ensure your fair treatment by the SSA.

Can You Only Collect SSDI Benefits for Work-Related Injuries?

Your illness or injury does not have to be work-related. SSDI benefits come through the federal Social Security Administration (SSA). The support is for those suffering from a physical or mental disability preventing them from earning income through gainful employment, regardless of the cause of that disability.

Can You Collect Your Deceased Spouse’s Benefits?

If you are disabled and your deceased spouse worked and paid into SSA, you may be able to collect your spouse’s benefits. The same possibility applies to surviving divorced spouses with disabilities. An individual may not be able to seek widows’ benefits if they have remarried or their spouse passed away in the remote past.

To collect, you must be between 50 and 60 years of age and have a medical condition that meets the SSA’s definition of disability. Also, the onset of the disability must have occurred before or within seven years of your spouse’s death.

Are Benefits Available to Children with Disabilities?

The SSA provides benefits for children born with disabilities or who experience a disabling injury or illness before the age of 22. Since this population does not have the opportunity to earn work credits, the SSA has other criteria for determining eligibility.

How Does the SSA Determine Whether You Are Disabled?

The SSA will review a lot of evidence, including doctors’ reports, test results, information regarding your prognosis, and employment history, before making a decision. A lawyer can give you more details about the documents needed to apply for Social Security Disability.

In reviewing your case, the SSA will consider:

Employment Status

If you are still working and earning over a specified amount, you cannot receive SSD.

The Severity of Your Condition

To meet the SSA’s definition of “disabled,” your condition must prevent you from performing basic work-related tasks, such as walking or sitting, lifting, and remembering.

The Type of Condition

The SSA has an extensive list of conditions considered debilitating enough to prevent sufferers from engaging in SGA. If the list does not include your condition, you may not be eligible. However, there are exceptions, and an SSD lawyer will pursue those exceptions on your behalf.

Your Work Ability

The SSA will investigate your ability to perform any past jobs, even with your condition, or see if there are other jobs someone with your ability can perform. If not, you may qualify for benefits.

Talk to Us About Getting SSDI Benefits

So, how many work credits do you need for SSDI benefits? Generally, you need at least 40 work credits to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. A skilled, empathetic Social Security Disability attorney from our team at Pilzer Klein can give you more information about the SSA’s work credit requirement.

Your lawyer will give you support and loyalty from day one, filing all legal documentation and evidence, and ensuring your application produces the best possible outcome. We’re here to explain the steps for filing a Social Security Disability claim.

If you have already applied and been denied benefits, your attorney will review your options for appeal. Start working toward a more stable financial future by contacting us today.