Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are an earned benefit. Workers make contributions to Social Security through their paychecks and may then be eligible for SSDI benefits when they can no longer work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) tracks the contributions that workers make toward the program and then maintains a record of the credits that they have accumulated.
The worker’s age determines how many credits they need to qualify. Most professionals need at least 40 credits overall and 20 credits accumulated within the last 10 years to qualify for SSDI benefits when they become incapable of working.
Certain professionals, including part-time workers and those in minimum-wage positions, may worry that they may not have earned enough to qualify for SSDI benefits through their recent employment history.
How much does a worker need to earn to accrue the maximum amount of credits possible in re: eligibility for SSDI benefits?
The threshold is surprisingly low
It is only natural for those who lose their income due to medical challenges to worry that they may not qualify for SSDI benefits. However, the income threshold for accumulating the maximum number of credits per year is lower than people expect.
No matter how much a worker earns, the most they can accumulate is four credits annually. They can receive one credit for every $1,730 they earn. In other words, provided that an employee earns at least $6,920 per year, they should have four credits on record for that year.
Most employees can very easily reach that threshold, even if they work limited hours and make minimum wage. Applicants over the age of 31 need 40 credits, but younger workers can qualify with fewer credits. Those under the age of 24 may only need to have six total credits accumulated to qualify for SSDI benefits.
Adequate work history is only one of the requirements for SSDI benefits. Applicants also need to have proper medical documentation affirming that they have a debilitating medical condition that is either terminal or likely to last 12 months or longer.
Learning more about the rules for SSDI benefits can help people feel more confident about applying. Even part-time workers are often eligible for SSDI benefits when they develop disabling medical conditions.