Social Security Disability Insurance SSDI benefits serve as an emergency safety net for employed adults. People who can no longer work due to medical issues can apply for SSDI benefits.
Provided that their medical condition is severe enough to prevent them from maintaining any sort of gainful employment, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may grant a worker with debilitating medical conditions SSDI benefits.
SSDI is an earned benefit. In addition to proper medical documentation, applicants must have a lengthy work history. They must accrue enough credits to qualify for benefits. Applicants who understand the two specific credit requirements for SSDI benefits can better gauge their eligibility.
Applicants need 40 total credits
The SSA applies one credit to a worker’s account for every $1,890 they earn in 2026. The maximum number of credits granted each year is four, regardless of how much a worker makes. Generally speaking, applicants age 31 or older must have at least 40 credits accrued with the SSA to be eligible for benefits.
Applicants must have worked recently
In addition to a total of 40 credits or more, applicants must show that they have earned at least half of their credits within the last 10 years. The SSA generally requires 20 credits accrued within a decade of a professional applying for benefits.
Provided that an individual’s work history meets those two clear standards and that they have appropriate medical documentation, they may be able to qualify for SSDI benefits when medical challenges prevent them from working. Reviewing medical records and work history with an SSDI attorney can help applicants streamline the application process and increase their chances of approval.