SSDI Work Credits: How Many You Need and How to Check Yours
Work credits are the building blocks of SSDI eligibility. You do not apply for them. You earn them by working and paying Social Security taxes. Knowing how they work helps you understand whether SSDI may be an option before you apply.
What Is a Work Credit?
A work credit, sometimes called a quarter of coverage, is the unit Social Security uses to track your work. The dollar amount of earnings needed to earn one credit changes every year, and the SSA publishes the current figure. You can earn up to four credits per year.
How Many Credits Do You Need for SSDI?
Most adults need 40 credits, and 20 of them must have been earned in the 10 years before the year you became disabled. This is often called the recent work test. It is meant to show that you worked recently, not just long ago.
The Rule for Younger Workers
Because younger workers have had less time to build a work record, the requirement is lower:
- Under age 24: generally 6 credits earned in the 3 years before the disability began.
- Ages 24 through 30: generally credits for half the time between age 21 and the date the disability began.
- Age 31 and older: the credit requirement rises with age until it reaches the standard 40 credits.
The SSA applies the exact calculation for your situation, so use these as a general guide.
Does Self-Employment Count?
Yes. Self-employed people earn credits through self-employment tax. If you reported net earnings and paid self-employment tax, those earnings count toward credits.
What If You Stopped Working Years Ago?
Because of the recent work test, a long gap can matter. If you left the workforce several years ago, you may not have 20 credits in the last 10 years. The date by which you must meet the test, sometimes called the date last insured, is something the SSA determines from your record.
How to Check Your Own Work Credits
Create a free my Social Security account at ssa.gov. It lets you review your earnings record and see your credits. Check it for errors. If an employer reported earnings incorrectly, contact the SSA to correct the record.
Credits and the Type of Benefit
Work credits matter for SSDI, not for SSI, which is need-based. Our guide to SSDI versus SSI explains how the two programs differ.
Sources and Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How many work credits do I need for SSDI?
Most adults need 40, with 20 earned in the last 10 years. Younger workers need fewer.
How many credits can I earn in a year?
Up to four.
Do I need credits for SSI?
No. SSI is based on financial need.
Where can I see my credits?
In your my Social Security account at ssa.gov.