How does work history affect disability eligibility?
By Hogan Smith
Updated 04/25/2025
Your work history plays a critical role in determining whether you’re eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that applicants have a sufficient amount of work history in order to qualify for SSDI benefits. However, if you’re applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), work history may not be as relevant, since SSI is based on financial need rather than work history.
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Understanding SSDI Work History Requirements
To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked and paid into Social Security through payroll taxes for a certain number of years. The exact number of years required depends on your age at the time of disability. Generally, the SSA requires that you have:
- Worked 5 of the last 10 years if you’re an adult over 31.
- For younger applicants, fewer work credits are needed, based on age.
Your work history is measured by work credits, which are earned by working and paying Social Security taxes. In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,640 in earnings, with a maximum of 4 credits per year.
How Work History Affects Your SSDI Eligibility
The number of credits required for SSDI eligibility depends on your age when you became disabled. Here’s a general guide to how many credits you need:
- Under 24 years old: You need 6 credits in the past 3 years.
- 24 to 30 years old: You need 12 credits in the past 6 years.
- 30 years and older: You need 20 credits in the past 10 years.
In general, the more years you’ve worked, the more likely you are to have accumulated enough credits to qualify for SSDI. If you don’t have enough work credits, you may not qualify for SSDI, but you could still be eligible for SSI based on your income and financial need.
What If I Have a Short Work History?
If you don’t have the necessary work history for SSDI, you may still qualify for SSI if you meet other criteria, such as:
- Being disabled according to the SSA’s definition.
- Having a limited income and resources (below a certain threshold).
In this case, your work history won’t affect eligibility, but your financial situation will play a significant role.
The Role of Work History in Appeals
In cases where SSDI benefits are
denied due to insufficient work credits, it’s possible to appeal the decision, especially if you believe there were mistakes in the evaluation of your work history. A
disability lawyer can assist with reviewing your past work and ensuring that all credits were properly accounted for.
How Hogan Smith Can Help You
Understanding how your work history affects your eligibility for SSDI benefits can be complicated. At Hogan Smith, we can help by:
- Reviewing your work history and ensuring you have the proper number of work credits.
- Helping you gather and organize employment records to show your work history accurately.
- Assisting with appeals if your SSDI claim is denied due to work credit issues.
- Guiding you through the SSI application process if you don’t meet the work history requirements for SSDI.
Contact Hogan Smith Today
If you’re unsure whether your
work history is sufficient for SSDI or you need help navigating the complexities of disability claims,
contact Hogan Smith. We offer
free consultations to help you understand your eligibility and the next steps. Let us assist you in securing the
disability benefits you deserve.
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