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Work History Requirements For Social Security Disability

Cutter Hall Karlock, LLC Aug. 4, 2021

There are a couple of different components to qualifying for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. One of those is work history requirements which is it helpful for applicants for disability benefits to be familiar with. Applicants for disability must meet both work history requirements and suffer from a medical condition that prevents them from working.

Work history requirements for Social Security disability

To meet work history requirements to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, the disabled applicant must have a certain number of work credits. To earn work credits to qualify for SSD benefits, the applicant must have worked jobs that paid into Social Security disability insurance. The work history must also be recent enough to qualify.

Work history credits are earned based on annual yearly wages or self-employment income. A total of up to 4 credits can be earned per year. The number of work credits required to qualify varies by year and depends on the applicant’s age when they became disabled.

In addition to meeting work history requirements, the disabled applicant must also suffer from a medical condition that makes them unable to work for at least a year or more. The medical condition they suffer from must be severe enough that they are unable to work. Additionally, it must last for a year or more or be expected to result in death.

Eligibility for Social Security disability benefits depends on several factors including the disabled applicant’s medical condition and work history. It is important to be familiar with both requirements and how to meet both requirements to obtain the benefits they need.