If you are looking to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), then chances are that you have heard of the requirement to obtain a certain number of work credits. Knowing what these credits are, and how you get them, is essential to ensuring you get the disability benefits you deserve. Here is what you need to know about the SSDI work credit requirements:
- You earn work credits through lawful employment
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- Essentially, a work credit is a representation of the amount of money you pay in Social Security taxes as a result of lawful employment. This includes both working for another company or organization, as well as income from self-employment. Each credit represents $1,730 in earnings per fiscal quarter, up to a maximum of $6,920 for four quarters.
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- You typically need 40 work credits to get SSDI
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- If you are over the age of 30, you need 40 work credits to be able to qualify for SSDI, 20 of which must have been earned in the last ten years. This effectively means that you must have earned enough money to obtain ten years of work credits over the course of your life, with five years worth of work credits having been earned in the last ten years. This allows you to potentially qualify for benefits even if you have not been recently employed.
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- Younger workers have more lenient requirements
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- However, if you are younger, you can potentially qualify for SSI benefits with less. Exactly how many you need depends on how old you are, with people under the age of 24 able to qualify for benefits with just six work credits. Meanwhile, people between 24 and 31 are able to qualify if they have enough credits to cover half the time they would have worked since they turned 21.
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- You can make all the money you need at once
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- While the work credit requirements assume you will be making your money over the course of a year, you can theoretically get your four full credits from a single fiscal quarter, or even from a single paycheck. This means you can qualify for SSDI benefits even if your employment has been inconsistent, or is based on seasonal labor. It also means you do not need to worry about unemployment ruining your chances at benefits.
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- A lawyer can improve your chances of acceptance
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- Wherever there is an argument about whether you might qualify for SSDI, it is a good idea to have a lawyer with experience handling disability benefits on your side. They can help you review your application to give you the best chances at success. They can also help you appeal if your application is denied, giving you the maximum possible opportunity to obtain the benefits you deserve.
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.
