Social Security Disability Work Requirements

The kinds of Social Security disability benefits you can get depends largely on how many years you have worked and how much you have paid in taxes to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people who have not worked or earned enough work credits to qualify for disability benefits. SSI is based on a government welfare program and the cost-of-living adjustment, which is annually reported by the SSA.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on work credits, whether you worked, and how much in taxes you paid based on your earnings. The more you paid in income taxes, the more you may earn on a monthly basis from the SSA.

Limitations on Income for SSI

If you do not have enough work credits to qualify for regular Social Security disability benefits, SSI would be your only option. However, obtaining SSI requires more than just a disability, as you must also prove that you are in a low-income status and do not have many assets.

For example, you may not have more than $2,000 in assets, or $3,000 if you are married. One house and one car would be exempted from that, so you can have both regardless of the value of those things, but anything beyond that would count against the limits.

What Exactly Are Work Credits and How Are They Calculated?

For every fiscal quarter that an individual works, they get a work credit. How much they earned and paid into Social Security during that quarter will determine if they get credit or not. This qualifying number does change from time to time, so it is best to consult with an attorney to learn which requirements apply in your case.

One year has four credits in it. To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have at least 20 work credits, which the equivalent to five years of employment. For information on Social Security disability work requirements, get in touch with our firm today.