The Credit Requirement Depends on Your Age When You Become Disabled
Social Security counts your work history in credits, not years. You earn credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. To receive SSDI, you must have earned enough credits and have worked recently enough. The exact number of credits you need depends on how old you are when your disability begins.
Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 of those credits earned in the 10 years before you became disabled. However, if you become disabled before age 24, the rules are different and require fewer credits. If you become disabled between ages 24 and 31, you need credits for half the time between age 21 and the time you became disabled.
A credit is not the same as a year of work. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in wages you earn (this amount changes each year). You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, which means you need at least $6,920 in annual earnings to max out your credits for that year.
Key Takeaways
- Most SSDI applicants need 40 total credits, with 20 earned in the 10 years before disability began.
- You earn one credit per $1,730 in wages (2024 amount), and you can earn up to four credits per year.
- If you become disabled before age 24, you need only 6 to 12 credits depending on your exact age.
- You can check your exact credit count by creating a my Social Security account and viewing your earnings record.
- Credits do not expire once earned, so work you did 20 or 30 years ago still counts toward your total.
Credit Requirements by Age at Disability
The Social Security Administration uses a sliding scale based on your age when your disability begins. This is because younger workers have had less time to build a work history.
| Age When Disability Begins | Credits Needed | Recent Work Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Before age 24 | 6 credits | Credits earned in the 3 years before disability |
| Age 24 to 30 | Credits for half the time between age 21 and disability date | Credits earned in the 3 years before disability |
| Age 31 or older | 40 credits | 20 credits earned in the 10 years before disability |
For someone who becomes disabled at age 35, the requirement is straightforward: 40 credits total, with 20 of those earned in the 10 years before disability. For someone who becomes disabled at age 26, you count the years from age 21 to age 26 (five years), divide by two (2.5 years), and you need credits for approximately 2.5 years of work — roughly 10 credits.
How to Check Your Current Credit Count
You do not have to wait until you file for SSDI to know how many credits you have. The Social Security Administration maintains a record of every credit you have earned, and you can view it yourself.
Create or log into your account at ssa.gov/myaccount. Once logged in, select "Earnings Record" to see a year-by-year breakdown of your reported wages and the credits you earned each year. This record is based on what your employers reported to Social Security, so it should match your own tax records.
If you see missing years or credits that seem too low, you can request a correction. You have three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year in which you earned the wages to correct your record. After that window closes, you can still request a correction, but Social Security will require additional proof such as tax returns or W-2 forms.
If you do not have an online account, you can request a paper copy of your earnings record by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office in person.
What Happens If You Do Not Have Enough Credits
If you do not have the required number of credits for your age, you cannot receive SSDI. This is a hard rule — there is no exception or appeal process that can waive the credit requirement.
However, you may have other options. If you are 62 or older, you might be able to receive Retirement Insurance Benefits instead, which has different rules. If you have a spouse or ex-spouse who has worked, you might be able to receive benefits based on their work record. If you have a child under 19 (or 19 if still in high school), that child may be able to receive benefits on your record even if you do not meet the SSDI requirement yourself.
If you are close to meeting the credit requirement, you may want to delay your process. Credits you earn now will be added to your record, and you may reach the threshold within months or a year or two. Social Security can tell you how many additional credits you need and help you understand whether waiting makes sense for your situation.
Credits Earned Before Age 21 and Recent Work
Credits you earned before age 21 do count toward your 40-credit total, but they do not count toward the "recent work" requirement. This distinction matters because you must meet both requirements at the same time.
For example, suppose you worked full-time from age 18 to 21 and earned 16 credits, then did not work again until age 35 when you became disabled. You have 16 credits total, but none of those credits were earned in the 10 years before your disability. You would not meet the SSDI requirement, even though you did work.
The recent work requirement exists because SSDI is meant to replace income for people who were actively working when they became disabled. If you have not worked in many years, you do not meet the program's intent, even if you worked substantially earlier in life.
Self-Employment and Credits
If you are self-employed, you earn credits the same way as W-2 employees: based on your net earnings from self-employment. You report this income on your tax return (Schedule C), and Social Security uses that reported income to calculate your credits.
Self-employed workers pay both the employee and employer portions of Social Security tax, which is why the earnings threshold for self-employment credits is slightly different. In 2024, you need $1,730 in net self-employment income to earn one credit, the same as the W-2 threshold, but you are responsible for paying the full tax amount yourself.
If you have a mix of W-2 income and self-employment income in the same year, both count toward your credit total for that year. You still max out at four credits per year regardless of how many jobs or income sources you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn credits after I become disabled?
Yes. If you continue to work after your disability begins, you can earn additional credits. However, your SSDI payment itself may be reduced if your earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity limit, which is $1,550 per month in 2024 (this amount changes yearly). You should report any work to Social Security before you start.
Do credits expire or disappear after a certain number of years?
No. Credits never expire. Work you did 30 years ago still counts toward your total. However, only credits earned in the most recent 10 years count toward the "recent work" requirement for people age 31 and older.
What if I worked in another country?
Work performed outside the United States generally does not count toward SSDI credits unless you were a U.S. citizen or resident alien at the time and paid Social Security taxes. Some countries have agreements with Social Security that allow credits to be counted. Contact Social Security directly to discuss your specific situation.
If I was married, can I use my spouse's credits?
No. SSDI is based on your own work record only. However, if you do not meet the SSDI requirement, you may be able to receive spousal benefits on your spouse's record if they are receiving retirement or disability benefits, or if they are age 62 or older.
How often does the credit amount ($1,730 in 2024) change?
Social Security adjusts the earnings threshold for credits each year based on national wage trends. The amount typically increases slightly each year. You can find the current year's threshold on ssa.gov, and it is announced in October for the following year.