Social Security Disability requirements include:
- You must have worked enough time in jobs covered by Social Security.
- You must have a medical condition that meets the definition of disabled.
- Your disability must be expected to last at least one year or result in death.
When you begin receiving disability benefits, you will continue to get them until you are able to work again on a regular basis. However, once you become able to work again, you may continue receiving some benefits, called “work incentives.”
If you meet all of the Social Security Disability requirements and are still receiving benefits when you attain full retirement age, then the SSA will convert your benefits into retirement benefits. However, the amount of your benefits will remain the same.
How Long Must You Work In Order To Get Disability?
When you work in a qualifying job that is covered by Social Security, you earn work credits. You earn one work credit for a certain amount of wages each year. For example, in 2018, for every $1,320 that you earn, you get one work credit. Once you’ve earned $5,280 in a qualifying job, you get four work credits.
The exact number of work credits that you need to meet Social Security Disability requirements depends on your age when you become disabled. Typically, you will need a minimum of 40 credits. Twenty of those work credits must have been earned within the last 10 years. However, if you are very young and have not been in the workforce for long, then you may qualify with fewer work credits.
How Does The SSA Define Disability?
You must have a medical condition that meets the definition of a disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, under Social Security, the definition of that term is different than many other programs and insurance companies.
The Social Security Administration considers you disabled if the following are true:
- You cannot do the same work you did before.
- You cannot adjust to other types of work because of your medical conditions.
- Your medical conditions are expected to result in disability for at least one year or result in death.
You must be totally disabled to meet Social Security Disability requirements. Partial disability or short-term disabilities will not qualify for benefits. The SSA assumes that families with working individuals have other means to provide support if someone becomes disabled on a short-term basis. Those resources may include workers’ compensation, short- and long-term disability insurance through an employer, savings accounts, and investments that you can use.
