You must work during your lifetime if you want to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This means you must meet the Social Security Administration’s “recent work test” and “duration of work test.” At first glance these tests might seem similar, when in fact they are two entirely different eligibility requirements.
What is the recent work test?
The recent work test measures how many credits you have earned from paying Social Security taxes while working. You can earn up to four credits annually if you earn at least $6,560 annually. Some of these credits must be earned within a certain number of years immediately prior to your disability onset date.
If you are under age 24 and are seeking SSDI, you must have earned six credits within the three years before your disability onset date.
If you are between ages 24 and 31 and are seeking SSDI, you must have earned credits for 50% of the time from when you turned 27 until your disability onset date.
If you are age 31 or up, you must have earned 20 credits or more within the 10 years before your disability onset date.
What is the duration of work test?
The duration of work test measures how many years you must have worked and thus earned credits. It is based on your age.
The duration of work test depends on your specific situation. However, there are some general estimates on how long you must work to qualify for SSDI based on your age.
To satisfy the duration of work test, you must have worked for one and a half years if you were under age 28 when you became disabled, you generally need to have worked for one and a half years. If you were age 34 when you became disabled, you generally need to have worked for four years.
If you were age 46 when you became disabled, you generally need to have worked for six years. If you were age 56 when you became disabled, you generally need to have worked eight years. And, if you were 60 when you became disabled, you generally need to have worked nine and a half years.
SSDI qualification can be confusing
The requirements for qualifying for SSDI can be confusing, as they seem very similar on their face. Still, it is important to ensure you know what is required to obtain SSDI, so you can prepare a comprehensive application for benefits.