There are two important components of eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. The first requirement is that the disabled individual suffers from a disabling medical condition that prevents them from being able to work. In addition, to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, the disabled individual must also meet work history requirements.
Eligibility for Social Security disability benefits requires that the disabled individual has the necessary work history credits to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The disabled applicant must first have worked in jobs that are covered by Social Security disability that the disabled individual has paid into through the Social Security disability process. The disabled applicant must have long enough work history that is recent enough to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
The amount of work needed to earn a work credit varies from year to year so it is helpful for disabled individuals to know what the amount is when they are applying for Social Security disability benefits. In addition, the number of work credits needed to qualify for Social Security disability benefits depends on when the disabled individual became disabled. Generally, the disabled individual needs 40 work credits to qualify for disability benefits and 20 of those credits need to be earned in the preceding 10 years before they applied for benefits.
In addition to the backward-looking work history requirements to be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, Social Security disability also provides different incentives to help disabled individuals transition back into work. Social Security disability are important benefits for many disabled individuals which is why they should be familiar with the different requirements to qualify for them, including work history requirements.