What work credits are and why they matter for SSDI
Work credits are the record Social Security keeps of how much you have worked and paid into the system. To receive SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits before you became disabled. The number you need depends on your age when you became disabled, but most people need between 20 and 40 credits.
You earn one work credit for every $1,550 you earn in a year (this amount changes yearly). You can earn up to four credits per year, no matter how much you earn above that threshold. So if you earned $6,200 in 2024, you would still only earn four credits for that year — one credit per quarter.
Checking your work credits now tells you whether you have enough to receive SSDI if you become disabled. It also shows you if there are gaps or errors in your record that could affect your benefit amount later.
Key Takeaways
- You can see your work credits by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov and viewing your earnings record.
- Your work credits appear on your Social Security Statement, which shows your earnings year by year and the credits you earned in each year.
- If you find an error in your earnings record, you have three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year the error occurred to report it to Social Security.
- You need at least 20 work credits to receive SSDI, though the exact number required depends on your age when you became disabled.
Creating a my Social Security account to view your credits
The fastest way to check your work credits is through a my Social Security account on the Social Security Administration website. Go to ssa.gov and look for the "Create an account" button. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and a phone number.
Social Security will verify your identity by asking questions about your past — things like previous addresses or accounts you have held. This usually takes a few minutes. Once you are logged in, click on "Earnings Record" to see your work credits year by year.
Your account shows your entire earnings history and the number of credits you earned in each year. You can print or save this page for your records. If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to mail you a paper copy of your earnings record.
Reading your Social Security Statement
Your Social Security Statement is the official record of your earnings and work credits. When you log into your my Social Security account, the Statement appears under "Earnings Record." It lists every year you worked, how much you earned, and how many credits you received that year.
Look at the "Credits Earned" column. If you see a year with zero credits, that means you either did not work that year or your earnings were below the credit threshold for that year. If you worked but see zero credits, that is a sign of a possible error.
The Statement also shows your estimated SSDI benefit amount at the bottom, based on your current earnings record. This estimate changes if you work more or if errors are corrected.
What to do if you find an error in your earnings record
Errors in your earnings record are not uncommon. Your employer may have reported your earnings under the wrong name or Social Security number, or Social Security may have posted them to the wrong year. If you spot a discrepancy, gather documents that prove your earnings — W-2 forms, pay stubs, or tax returns.
Contact Social Security with your proof. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or use your my Social Security account to send a message. You have three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the year the error occurred to report it. After that window closes, Social Security cannot correct the record.
Social Security will investigate and contact you if they need more information. Corrections usually take several weeks. Once corrected, your work credits and benefit estimate will update automatically in your account.
How many credits you need for SSDI
The number of work credits required for SSDI depends on your age when you became disabled. If you became disabled before age 24, you generally need six credits earned in the three years before you became disabled. If you were between 24 and 31 when you became disabled, you need credits equal to half the quarters that have passed since you turned 21.
If you became disabled at age 31 or older, you need 20 credits total, with at least five of those credits earned in the 10 years before you became disabled. Most people fall into this last category.
Your my Social Security account shows your current credit count at the top of your Earnings Record. If you are close to the number you need, working a bit longer may help you reach the threshold.
Checking credits if you worked outside the United States
If you worked in another country, those earnings may count toward your Social Security credits under a totalization agreement — an agreement between the United States and another country to combine work records. The United States has these agreements with about 30 countries.
Your my Social Security account will not show foreign work credits automatically. You will need to contact Social Security directly and provide documentation of your work abroad — employment records, tax documents, or a letter from your employer. Social Security can then determine whether those credits count and add them to your record if they do.
Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask about totalization. Have your employment dates, employer names, and any documents ready when you call.
What happens after you verify your credits
Once you have checked your credits and confirmed they are correct, keep a copy of your Earnings Record for your records. If you ever file for SSDI, Social Security will already have this information, but having your own copy speeds up the process and gives you proof of what was on file.
If you are still working, your credits will continue to grow each year you earn enough to may have access to. You can check your account once a year to watch your progress. Social Security updates earnings records once a year, usually in March, so do not expect to see current-year credits until the following spring.
If you become disabled before you have enough credits, you cannot receive SSDI at that time. However, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which has different rules and does not require work credits. Social Security will explain your options when you file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check someone else's work credits?
No, only the person whose Social Security number the credits belong to can view them through my Social Security. If you are helping a family member, they will need to create their own account or authorize you as a representative payee. You can also call Social Security together and ask them to explain the credits over the phone.
What if I do not have a my Social Security account?
You can request a paper copy of your Earnings Record by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. You can also create an account online at ssa.gov — it takes about 10 minutes and requires only basic information and identity verification.
Do self-employment earnings count toward work credits?
Yes, if you paid self-employment tax on your income. Self-employed people report earnings on Schedule SE of their tax return. Social Security counts these earnings the same way as W-2 wages, so you earn one credit for every $1,550 in net self-employment income.
What if I worked under a different name or Social Security number?
Contact Social Security with proof of your name change or the old Social Security number you used. Bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change, along with your current ID. Social Security can merge the earnings records so all your work counts toward your credits.
How often should I check my work credits?
You can check once a year, ideally in the spring after Social Security has updated records for the previous year. If you are still working and building credits, an annual check helps you track your progress. If you are not working, checking every few years is enough unless you suspect an error.