You need 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years to keep SSDI once you start receiving it

The 20-credit rule is separate from the credits you needed to become may be able to access for SSDI in the first place. Once you are receiving benefits, Social Security requires that you maintain a minimum level of recent work history to continue. This means you must have earned at least 20 credits during the 10-year period when ready before you become unable to work.

A credit is earned by paying Social Security taxes on wages or self-employment income. In 2024, you earn one credit for each $1,730 of earnings, up to a maximum of four credits per year. The dollar amount changes annually, so the threshold was different in previous years. You do not need to earn all 20 credits in a single year — they accumulate over the 10-year window.

If you do not have 20 credits in the past 10 years when your disability begins, you may still be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which has different rules and does not require work credits. However, SSI has strict income and resource limits that SSDI does not.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have earned 20 work credits in the 10 years before you become unable to work to keep SSDI; this is checked when your disability claim is filed.
  • One credit equals a set amount of earnings (in 2024, $1,730), and you can earn up to four credits per year regardless of how much you earn above that threshold.
  • The 20-credit requirement applies to SSDI continuation, not to the initial may be able to access credits you needed when you first became disabled.
  • If you do not have 20 credits in the past 10 years, you may be able to receive SSI instead, though SSI has income and resource limits that affect your monthly payment.

How the 10-Year Look-Back Window Works

Social Security counts backward 10 years from the month you become unable to work. Every credit you earned during that 10-year period counts toward the 20 you need. Credits do not expire after a certain time — a credit earned 9 years ago still counts if you are within the 10-year window.

The month you become unable to work is called your onset date. This is the date Social Security uses to determine which credits fall inside or outside the 10-year window. If you worked steadily for the past 10 years, you will almost certainly have 20 or more credits. If you had a gap in work — for example, you were unemployed for two years — you need to have earned enough credits in the remaining eight years to reach 20.

If your onset date is in 2024, Social Security looks back to 2014. Any credits earned in 2014 or later count. Credits earned in 2013 or earlier do not count toward the 20-credit requirement, even if you earned them.

What Happens If You Do Not Have 20 Credits

If you do not have 20 credits in the past 10 years when your disability begins, you cannot receive SSDI under the standard rules. Social Security will deny your SSDI claim based on insufficient work credits. You will receive a written notice explaining this decision and your right to appeal.

At that point, you have two main options. First, you can appeal the decision if you believe Social Security made an error in counting your credits or determining your onset date. Second, you can ask Social Security to evaluate you for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead. SSI does not require work credits — it is a needs-based program for people with low income and limited resources. However, SSI pays a lower monthly amount than SSDI, and your may be able to access depends on your current income and assets, not your work history.

Some people receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time, though this is uncommon. This happens when your SSDI payment is very low — below the federal SSI limit — and you meet SSI's income and resource requirements.

The Difference Between Initial may be able to access Credits and Continuation Credits

When you first file for SSDI, Social Security checks whether you have enough credits to be insured for disability benefits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you become unable to work. A person who becomes disabled at age 24 needs fewer credits than a person who becomes disabled at age 50. This is called the insured status requirement.

The 20-credit rule is different. It applies once you are already receiving SSDI and is a separate check that Social Security performs. Even if you had enough credits to become may be able to access in the first place, you must also have 20 credits in the past 10 years to keep receiving benefits. In practice, if you met the insured status requirement, you almost always have 20 credits in the past 10 years as well — but Social Security checks both.

This distinction matters if you have a gap in your work history. You might have had enough credits to become may be able to access for SSDI years ago, but if you have not worked much in the past 10 years, you could lose your benefits if your case is reviewed and Social Security determines you no longer meet the 20-credit rule.

How Credits Are Earned and Counted

You earn credits by paying Social Security taxes on wages or self-employment income. If you are an employee, your employer withholds Social Security tax from your paycheck. If you are self-employed, you pay both the employee and employer portion of Social Security tax when you file your tax return.

The amount of earnings needed to earn one credit changes each year. In recent years it has been: $1,550 in 2022, $1,640 in 2023, and $1,730 in 2024. You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, no matter how much you earn. For example, if you earned $10,000 in 2024, you still only earn four credits — you do not earn extra credits for earning above the threshold.

Social Security records your earnings history based on your Social Security number. You can view your own earnings record by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Your record shows how many credits you earned each year. If you see an error — for example, earnings that were not credited to your account — you can request a correction by contacting Social Security directly.

When Social Security Reviews Your Credits

Social Security checks your work credits when you first file for SSDI. At that time, they verify that you have enough credits to be insured for disability and that you have 20 credits in the past 10 years. If you meet both requirements, your claim can proceed to the medical review stage.

Social Security does not routinely re-check your credits while you are receiving SSDI, unless your case is reviewed for other reasons — for example, if you report work activity or if your case is selected for a continuing disability review. During a continuing disability review, Social Security may ask about your work history and will verify your credits again. If you have worked since becoming disabled, those new credits will be added to your record.

If you return to work while receiving SSDI, you should report this to Social Security. Work activity can affect your benefits through the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, which is a separate rule from the 20-credit requirement. Reporting work ensures your record is accurate and prevents overpayment issues later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lose SSDI if I do not work for a year?

No. Once you have 20 credits in the past 10 years, you keep them even if you stop working. Credits do not expire or disappear. However, if your case is reviewed years later and you are no longer within the 10-year window from your onset date, the oldest credits will fall off. For most people receiving SSDI, this is not a practical concern because the 10-year window is very long.

Do credits I earned before my disability started count?

Yes, as long as they fall within the 10-year look-back window from your onset date. If you became disabled in 2024, credits earned in 2014 or later count. Credits earned in 2013 or earlier do not count toward the 20-credit requirement.

What if I worked part-time and earned very little?

You still earn credits based on the amount you earned, not the hours you worked. In 2024, you need $1,730 in earnings to earn one credit. If you earned $500 in a year, you earned zero credits that year. If you earned $3,500, you earned two credits. The key is total earnings, not employment status.

Can I check how many credits I have?

Yes. Create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov and view your earnings record. Your record shows credits earned each year. If you see an error, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to request a correction. You can also request a printed earnings statement by mail if you do not have online access.

Does working while on SSDI affect my 20 credits?

No. Work you do while receiving SSDI adds new credits to your record, but it does not change the 20 credits you already have. However, if you earn above the SGA limit, your benefits may be suspended or terminated for that month — that is a separate rule from the credit requirement.