The Two Things Social Security Checks: Work Credits and a Medical Condition
To receive SSDI, you must meet two separate requirements. First, you need enough work credits—earned by paying Social Security taxes on your wages. Second, you must have a medical condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. Social Security does not look at your income or savings, only whether you worked long enough and whether your condition is severe enough.
The work credit requirement depends on your age when you become disabled. Younger workers need fewer credits than older workers. Once you have enough credits, they stay on your record permanently—you do not lose them if you stop working.
Key Takeaways
- You earn one work credit for every $1,550 in wages you pay Social Security taxes on in 2024 (the amount changes yearly), up to four credits per year.
- Most people need 40 work credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before they become disabled.
- If you become disabled before age 24, you may need as few as 6 credits earned in the 3 years before disability began.
- Your medical condition must be documented by medical evidence and must prevent substantial work for 12 months or longer, or be a condition expected to result in death.
- Social Security has a specific list of conditions that automatically meet the severity requirement; conditions not on the list require detailed medical records showing why you cannot work.
How Work Credits Are Earned and Counted
You earn work credits by working and paying Social Security taxes on your wages. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,550 in covered wages, with a maximum of four credits per year. This dollar amount increases each year, so the threshold will be different in 2025 and beyond. Self-employed income also counts toward work credits if you pay self-employment tax.
Work credits do not expire once earned. If you worked for 10 years and then stopped, those credits remain on your record. You do not need to have earned all your credits recently—what matters is the total number and when they were earned relative to when your disability began.
You can check how many work credits you have by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement, or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to request a transcript of your earnings record.
Work Credit Requirements by Age at Disability
The number of credits you need depends on how old you are when your disability begins. Social Security assumes that younger workers have had less time to build up credits, so the requirement is lower.
| Age When Disability Begins | Total Credits Needed | Credits Needed in Last 10 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 31 or older | 40 | 20 |
| 24 to 30 | 20 | 20 |
| 22 to 23 | 12 | 12 |
| 21 to 22 | 8 | 8 |
| 20 or younger | 6 | 6 |
The "last 10 years" means the 10-year period ending when your disability began. If you are 31 or older, you need 40 credits total, but at least 20 of those must have been earned in the 10 years before your condition made work impossible. This rule prevents someone from working briefly decades ago and then claiming disability without recent work history.
What Counts as a may have access to Medical Condition
Your condition must be severe enough that it prevents you from doing any substantial work. Social Security defines substantial work as earning $1,470 per month in 2024 (this amount also changes yearly). If you can earn more than that amount, Social Security will likely deny your claim, regardless of your diagnosis.
Social Security maintains a list called the Blue Book that describes conditions expected to meet the severity requirement. These include conditions like advanced cancer, end-stage renal disease, severe heart failure, and severe mental health disorders. If your condition is on the Blue Book and your medical records match the description, your case moves faster.
If your condition is not on the Blue Book or does not match the description exactly, Social Security will review your medical records to determine whether your condition prevents substantial work. This requires detailed documentation from your doctors showing what you can and cannot do physically and mentally.
Medical Evidence You Will Need
Social Security does not make a disability decision based on your word alone. You must provide medical evidence from doctors, hospitals, clinics, or other treatment providers. The evidence should show when your condition began, what treatment you have received, and how the condition affects your ability to work.
Useful medical evidence includes office visit notes, test results, imaging reports, hospital discharge summaries, and mental health treatment records. If you have not seen a doctor recently, Social Security may schedule you for a consultative examination at no cost to you, performed by a doctor they select. You are not required to pay for medical evidence yourself.
If you have been denied and are appealing, you can submit new or updated medical evidence at any stage of the appeal. Newer evidence showing your condition has worsened or new treatment records can strengthen your case.
Work Activity and Earnings Limits
Even while your SSDI claim is being reviewed, you can work and earn money. However, if you earn more than $1,470 per month (in 2024), Social Security may conclude you are capable of substantial work and deny your claim. This is not a strict rule—Social Security looks at whether the work is substantial and gainful, meaning whether it shows you can work despite your condition.
If you are approved for SSDI and then return to work, you have a nine-month trial work period during which you can earn any amount without losing benefits. After the trial work period ends, your benefits will stop if you earn more than $1,470 per month for nine additional months. This is called the extended may be able to access period. Understanding these rules before you return to work can prevent unexpected benefit loss.
How to Check Your Work Credits Before You File
Before you file for SSDI, you can verify that you have enough work credits by checking your Social Security Statement online. Go to ssa.gov, select "Create an account," and log in with your username and password. Your statement shows your earnings history and the number of credits you have earned each year.
If you find errors in your earnings record—such as wages that were not credited to your account—you can request a correction. You will need to provide documents like W-2 forms or pay stubs showing the wages were earned. Social Security has a important date for correcting old earnings, so if you spot an error, report it as soon as possible.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and request a transcript of your earnings record by mail. This takes about two weeks to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get SSDI if I have not worked in several years?
Yes, if you earned enough work credits before you stopped working. Work credits do not expire. However, if you became disabled after age 31, you need at least 20 of your 40 credits to have been earned in the 10 years before your disability began. If you stopped working more than 10 years ago, you may not meet this requirement.
What if I worked but did not pay Social Security taxes?
Work that did not involve paying Social Security taxes—such as cash-only jobs, some government employment, or work outside the United States—does not count toward work credits. Only wages subject to Social Security tax count. If you are unsure whether your past work was covered, ask Social Security when you call or visit ssa.gov.
Does my spouse's work history help me get SSDI?
No. SSDI is based only on your own work history and your own medical condition. Your spouse's earnings do not count toward your work credits. However, once you are approved for SSDI, your spouse and children may be able to receive benefits on your record.
What happens if I do not have enough work credits?
If you do not have enough work credits for SSDI, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is a needs-based program that does not require work credits. SSI has income and resource limits, so you would need to meet those requirements. Social Security will inform you of other programs you may be able to access if you do not may have access to for SSDI.
Can I work part-time while waiting for a decision on my SSDI claim?
Yes. Working part-time does not automatically disqualify you. However, if you earn more than $1,470 per month (in 2024), Social Security may use that as evidence that you are capable of substantial work. Keep records of your earnings and any limitations you experience at work, as these can be relevant to your case.