Social Security

Work Requirements

In addition to meeting the Social Security Administration's definition of disability, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Social Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. Up to four credits can be earned each year.

The amount needed for a credit changes from year to year. In 2009, for example, you earn one credit for each $1090 of wages or self-employment income. When you've earned $4,360, you've earned your four credits for the year.

The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on the age when you became disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you became disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

You must also meet two different earnings tests, including a recent work test based on your age when you became disabled and a duration of work test to show that you have worked long enough under Social Security. Certain blind workers only have to meet the duration of work test.

If you have been denied your social security benefits, fill out our no risk case evaluation form.

Recent Work Test

The recent work test is based on the age you were when your disability began. The rules are based on calendar quarters. The first quarter runs January 1 through March 31; the second quarter runs April 1 through June 30; the third quarter runs July 1 through September 30; and the fourth quarter runs between October 1 through December 31.

• If you become disabled in or before the quarter you turn 24, you generally need 1.5 years of work during the three-year period ending with the quarter your disability began.
• If you become disabled in the quarter after you turn 24 but before the quarter you turn 31, you most likely need to have worked during half the time for the period beginning with the quarter after you turned 21 and ending with the quarter you became disabled.
• If you become disabled in the quarter you turn age 31 or older, you need to work during five years out of the 10-year period ending with the quarter your disability began.

Duration of Work Test

The duration of work tests measures how much work you need if you become disabled at a certain age. For example, if you become disabled before age 28, you generally need 1.5 years of work. If you were disabled at age 60, you generally need 9.5 years of work. Each age has a different work requirement.