You need work credits to get SSDI, and you earn them by paying Social Security taxes on your wages
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is not a needs-based program — you cannot get it just because you are disabled and have no income. You must have a work history. The Social Security Administration measures that work history in work credits, which you accumulate by earning wages subject to Social Security tax (the 6.2% deduction from your paycheck, matched by your employer).
The number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled. Younger workers need fewer credits. Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before disability began. You earn a maximum of 4 credits per year, so 40 credits typically means at least 10 years of work history.
Self-employment income counts toward work credits if you pay self-employment tax. Unpaid work — volunteering, family caregiving, informal jobs paid in cash — does not count. Your Social Security statement shows exactly how many credits you have accumulated so far.
Key Takeaways
- You earn one work credit for roughly every $1,550 in wages subject to Social Security tax in 2024; this dollar amount changes each year.
- Most SSDI applicants need 40 total credits, with at least 20 earned during the 10 years when ready before their disability began.
- Younger workers (under 31) may need as few as 6 credits if they became disabled recently; the exact number depends on your age at onset.
- You can check your current work credit count on your Social Security statement, available free at ssa.gov.
- If you do not have enough credits now, continuing to work and pay Social Security taxes will add credits toward the threshold you need.
How work credits are earned and counted
A work credit is earned when you have paid Social Security tax on a certain amount of income in a calendar year. In 2024, you earn one credit for each $1,550 in covered wages (this threshold increases most years). Since you can earn a maximum of 4 credits per year, you need $6,200 in covered wages in a single year to max out your credits for that year.
The threshold amount changes annually. The Social Security Administration publishes the current year's credit value on its website each October. If you worked part-time or had gaps in employment, you may have earned fewer than 4 credits in some years — that is normal and does not disqualify you, as long as your total reaches the required amount.
Self-employment income is counted the same way, but you must file taxes and pay self-employment tax (15.3% of net profit). If you were paid in cash and did not report it to the IRS, it does not count toward work credits, even if you actually earned the money.
Work credit requirements by age at disability onset
The number of credits you need depends on how old you were when you became unable to work. This is called your onset age. The Social Security Administration uses a sliding scale:
| Age at Disability Onset | Total Credits Needed | Credits Needed in Last 10 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 31 or older | 40 | 20 |
| 24–30 | Credits equal to years worked since age 21 | Half of total needed |
| Under 24 | 6 | 6 (earned in the 3 years before onset) |
If you became disabled at age 35, for example, you need 40 credits total, and at least 20 of those must have been earned between age 25 and 35. If you became disabled at age 22, you need only 6 credits, all earned within the 3 years before your disability began.
The onset date is the date your condition began, not the date you stopped working. If you worked for a few months after your condition started, those credits still count toward your requirement. The Social Security Administration determines the onset date during your case review, based on medical evidence and your account of when symptoms began.
How to check your work credit count
Your Social Security statement shows your complete earnings history and the number of credits you have earned each year. You can view this statement online at ssa.gov by creating a my Social Security account. The process takes about 15 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and an email address.
Once logged in, go to "Earnings Record" to see a year-by-year breakdown of reported wages and credits. Review this carefully — if you see missing years or incorrect amounts, you can request a correction. Errors are not uncommon, especially if you changed employers, worked under a different name, or had a gap in employment.
If you cannot access the online statement, you can request a paper copy by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office. The paper statement takes 2 to 4 weeks to arrive by mail.
What happens if you do not have enough credits yet
If your work history is incomplete, you have options. If you are still able to work, continuing employment will add credits toward your requirement. Each year you work and pay Social Security tax adds up to 4 more credits. If you need 10 more credits and can work part-time, you could reach the threshold in 2.5 to 3 years.
If you cannot work because of your condition, you cannot earn new credits. In this case, you may still be able to file for SSDI if you meet the non-work-credit requirements — for example, if you are blind or have a condition on the Social Security Administration's list of severe impairments. You can also explore other programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not require work credits and is based on financial need instead.
Do not delay filing because you think you are short on credits. The Social Security Administration will review your complete record during your case. You may have credits you forgot about, or your onset date may be earlier than you think, which could lower your credit requirement.
Work credits and family benefits
If you receive SSDI, your family members may also receive benefits on your record — your spouse, ex-spouse, or children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school). These family benefits do not reduce your own payment, but they do depend on your work credit record. The Social Security Administration uses your earnings history to calculate the family benefit amount.
Your family members do not need their own work credits to receive benefits on your record. A spouse who never worked can still receive a spousal benefit based on your work history. This is one reason to may support your earnings record is accurate — errors affect not just your benefit amount but your family's as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get SSDI if I have not worked in the last 10 years?
It depends on your age and total credits. If you are 31 or older, you need 20 credits in the 10 years before your disability began — so a 10-year gap would disqualify you under the standard rule. However, if you became disabled before age 31, the requirement is lower. You should still file; the Social Security Administration will review your exact situation.
Does military service count toward work credits?
Military service before 1968 may count as work credits if you were on active duty. Service members after 1968 earn credits through regular military pay, which is subject to Social Security tax. If you served, your Social Security statement will show any military credits. Contact your local Social Security office if you believe credits are missing.
What if I worked under a different name or Social Security number?
Earnings under a different name or number will not appear on your current Social Security record. You can request a correction by contacting Social Security with proof of the name change or evidence of the earnings (old W-2 forms, tax returns, or employer records). Corrections can take several months, so file your SSDI case while the correction is being processed.
Do I lose work credits if I do not work for a few years?
No. Work credits you have already earned are permanent — they do not expire or disappear if you take time off work. However, you cannot earn new credits during years you do not work. If you need more credits to reach the SSDI threshold, you will need to return to work.
Can I get SSDI if I only worked part-time or seasonally?
Yes, as long as you earned enough in covered wages to accumulate the required number of credits. Part-time and seasonal work both count. If you worked seasonally for 15 years, earning 3 or 4 credits each year, you would have enough credits for SSDI even though you did not work year-round.