There are a couple of different important components to applying for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits that disabled applicants should be familiar with. Applicants for SSD benefits must meet disability requirements and work history requirements. Work history requirements can sometimes be overlooked but are also important to understand.
Work history requirements for Social Security disability benefits
To begin with, the applicant must suffer from a medical condition that causes disability that must be expected to last for a year or longer. In addition, the disabled applicant for disability benefits must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. The applicant must have worked long enough and recently enough to qualify for Social Security benefits.
Work credits can be earned and are based on the applicant’s total annual wages or self-employment income for the year. Depending on their earnings, they can earn up to four credits each year. The number of work credits to meet the work history requirement for Social Security disability benefits varies by year so disabled applicants should know the current requirement when they apply for benefits.
The number of work history credits needed to qualify for SSD benefits depends on the age of the disabled applicant and when they became disabled. In general, 40 credits are needed to qualify for benefits and 20 of those credits must have been earned in the 10 years preceding the applicant’s disability. Younger workers applying for SSD benefits, however, may be able to qualify for SSD benefits with fewer work history credits.
Social Security disability are valuable benefits to help disabled individuals care for themselves during their disability. For that reason, disabled individuals should know how to apply for benefits and the requirements they need to meet to obtain them.