The magic number of work credits for disability eligibility differs depending on an applicant’s age.
The age you were when you became disabled will dictate how many work credits you need to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Younger applicants typically need fewer work credits, though all must show that they qualify by passing a recent work and duration of work test. You get credits by working, earning wages, and contributing to Social Security. All workers can earn up to four credits annually. While having enough work credits is crucial to qualify for disability, you must convince the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your condition prevents you from returning to work in a substantive capacity. This requires medical evidence, which our lawyers can ensure is included in your SSDI application. Not having enough work credits won’t automatically exclude you from SSDI eligibility, as you might qualify as a disabled adult child (DAC).
For a confidential and free case assessment from our disability lawyers, call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 or (609) 557-3081.
How Many Work Credits Are Necessary to Qualify for Disability?
The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability depends mostly on age. Our lawyers can administer a recent work and duration of work test to determine whether you have enough work credits to get the SSDI benefits you need.
You accrue work credits over time and can earn up to four per year. If you have not been in the workforce long when you sustain an injury or suffer a disability, you might not have had time to earn substantial work credits. That does not mean you are ineligible, and our disability lawyers will administer a recent work test to determine if you qualify.
For example, if you became disabled before 24, you may get disability if you earned six work credits in the three years preceding your disability. Applicants between 24 and 31 may get SSDI if they have worked half the time between turning 21 and when their disability began. For example, suppose you become injured and unable to work at 29. In that case, you would need work credits for at least four of the past eight years, or 16 work credits in total.
In general, disability applicants age 31 or older must have at least 20 work credits earned in the 10 years immediately preceding a disability, injury, or illness.
To pass a duration of work test, you must have a certain number of years of work credits. This depends on how old you were when you became disabled. For example, if you become disabled before age 28, you must have at least 1.5 years of work; if you become disabled at age 60, you need at least 9.5 years of work.
Confirming your SSDI eligibility based on work credits is a complicated process, and our lawyers can review your earnings record to assess the strength of your application and the likelihood of approval.
How Can You Earn Enough Work Credits to Qualify for Disability?
Work credits are a confusing aspect of SSDI eligibility, as workers may not know their exact earnings records or how they accumulate credits.
Each time you get a paycheck, your employer should remove taxes for Social Security. This is what leads to work credits. You get one work credit for each $1,730 in wages you earn in 2024. The maximum number of work credits you can earn per year is four, meaning you can get them by earning $6,920 annually. If you have more work credits than necessary to qualify for SSDI when you apply for benefits, that will not increase your benefit amount. While your work credits matter for SSDI eligibility, your lifetime average earnings will dictate the sum of your monthly checks.
Do You Need More Than Work Credits to Qualify for Disability?
Having enough work credits is just part of what it takes to qualify for SSDI; the other, and often more important factor, is whether or not an applicant has a qualifying condition.
When reviewing your SSDI application, the SSA may first confirm if you have enough work credits and pass recent work and duration of work tests. Though this is the first step, it is not the last. The SSA might deny your claim if you do not provide substantial medical evidence confirming you cannot work or earn an income.
Medical evidence in disability applications includes diagnostic test results, physician statements, X-rays, surgical records, and prescriptions. The SSA does not provide greater benefits to applicants with excess work credits, nor does it administer different payments according to the severity of an applicant’s disability.
What if You Don’t Have Enough Work Credits to Qualify for Disability?
Not everyone is in the workforce long enough to earn enough work credits to qualify for disability on their own. If you were diagnosed before turning 22, our lawyers may be able to get you approved based on your parent’s earnings record.
A disabled adult child is a person aged 18 or older diagnosed with a qualifying condition before turning 22. Their eligibility is determined based on whether or not they meet the SSA’s definition of disabled and if they have a parent whose earnings record would qualify them for Social Security payments. A DAC’s monthly SSDI benefit is calculated based on the parent’s average earnings, not the DAC’s, typically increasing their payments. Those who do not qualify as DACs may be eligible for other benefits based on financial need, like Supplemental Security Income.
DACs must follow the same rules as other SSDI recipients regarding limits on outside income and might also undergo periodic continuing disability reviews.
Call Our Attorneys for Help with Your Disability Application
Call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 or (609) 557-3081 to discuss your case for free with our disability lawyers.