If you or someone you love has applied for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, you may have heard about “work credits.” These credits are not always well-understood, but are an important part of the criteria you must meet to apply for these disability benefits. But what exactly are work credits in the context of SSDI benefits, and why might they matter to you?
What Are SSDI Work Credits?
In simple terms, work credits are a representation of the amount of work people have done over the course of their career. This is meant to be a measurement of their contribution to Social Security by paying taxes on earned income. This money can be earned by working for an employer, or by being self-employed; either way works.
How Do You Earn Work Credits?
As the name suggests, you earn work credits by performing work and paying Social Security taxes. You can earn up to four credits per year, one for each financial quarter, with each credit representing $1,810 of earnings per quarter. Fortunately, you do not need to earn this money continuously throughout the year, and can meet the full amount in a single payment.
How Many Work Credits Do You Need?
In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, provided you are over the age of 30, you need to get 40 work credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the past ten years. Younger people require fewer credits, depending on how young they are, with people under the age of 24 only needing six work credits. You can learn more about work credit requirements here.
What Happens if You Do Not Have Enough?
If you do not have a sufficient number of work credits to qualify for SSDI, you may still be able to get disability benefits. However, to know what options you may have available, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling disability applications. They can help review your case and ensure you get the best possible outcome for your situation.
If you or a loved one need assistance applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, it is important that you seek the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability benefits lawyer. The lawyers at Sullivan & Kehoe, LLP have over 50 years of combined experience between its attorneys and are available to you or your loved one in obtaining Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits. To schedule a consultation with our New York Social Security Disability benefits lawyers, call (631) 823-7155.
