Comprehensive Legal Services For Those Contending With Injuries And Disabilities

Understanding work history requirements for SSD benefits

On Behalf of | Nov 7, 2019 | Social Security Disability |

There are two primary components for qualifying for Social Security disability benefits and disabled individuals seeking benefits, or who think Social Security disability benefits may be able to help them, should be familiar with what those components are. Social Security disability benefits can help disabled individuals with their daily needs and concerns while they are unable to work because of their disability.

The first component to qualify for SSD benefits is that the disabled individual must suffer from a medical condition that is severe enough that it prevents them from being able to work and it is not expected to be temporary in nature. Secondly, the disabled applicant must meet work history requirements to qualify for Social Security disability benefits which is the second component of the requirements that must be met for SSD benefits.

To receive benefits, disabled applicants must work in a job that is covered by Social Security disability. They must also have worked long enough, and recently enough, to qualify for SSD benefits. Eligibility for benefits is based on work history credits which are, in turn, based on total annual wages or self-employment income. The amount needed for a work history credit varies yearly so it is helpful for disabled applicants to be familiar with what is needed. The number of work credits needed depends on when the disabled individual became disabled. The disabled applicant will generally need 40 work history credits, 20 of which were earned in the 10 years prior to the year they become disabled, to qualify for benefits.

Social Security disability benefits are a vital lifeline for many disabled individuals and their families. As a result, they should be familiar with how to qualify and what they will need to do to receive benefits, including the different components of the process.