Assisting Clients Across California Since 1993

Work requirements for Social Security disability benefits

There are several components to qualifying for Social Security disability benefits which are vital for many disabled individuals who are unable to work to support themselves and their families. Disabled applicants for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits should be familiar with the different requirements to qualify for SSD benefits.

Work history requirements for Social Security disability benefits

This blog has discussed some of the medical requirements to qualify for Social Security disability benefits and also how to meet the definition of disability. In addition to having a disabling medical condition sever enough that it prevents the disabled applicant from working, the applicant for benefits must also meet the work history requirements to qualify for SSD benefits.

Work history requirements for SSD benefits must also be met to obtain disability benefits. Eligibility for benefits and meeting this requirement is determined based on work history credits. Applicants for disability benefits may wonder how they earn these credits and how many they need to qualify for SSD benefits.

Applicants for disability benefits must have worked long enough and recently enough to qualify for disability benefits. Work credits are based on total annual wages or self-employment income and workers can earn up to 4 credits per year. The number of work credits needed to qualify for benefits fluctuates on a yearly basis. In addition, the number of credits needed to qualify for benefits depends on the age of the applicant and when they became disabled. In general, applicants need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the 10 years prior to when they became disabled, but younger applicants for benefits may need fewer credits to qualify.

Social Security disability benefits can help disabled workers care for themselves and their families. For that reason, disabled applicants and their families should be familiar with how to qualify for disability benefits.