If you do not have enough work credits to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you may still have options to receive support. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires workers to earn a certain number of credits before becoming eligible for disability benefits. However, even if you fall short of the required credits, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or receive help from other programs.
How Many Credits Do You Need for Social Security Disability?
To receive Social Security disability benefits, you must earn a minimum number of work credits within a set timeframe. The SSA calls these credits “quarters of coverage.” In 2023, you earn one credit for each $1,510 of wages or self-employment income, up to four credits per year. So you must earn $6,040 in 2023 to get your maximum four credits for the year.
The number of credits you need to qualify for Social Security disability depends on your age when you become disabled:
- Before age 24: You may qualify with six credits earned in three years.
- Age 24 to 31: You need to have earned credits for half the time between age 21 and the year you became disabled.
- Age 31 and older: You generally need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years.
So if you become unable to work due to disability at age 30, you would need to have earned 15 credits in the past 9 years (half the 18 years from age 21 to 30). At age 50, you would need the full 40 credits, with 20 coming within the past 10 years.
What If You Don’t Have Enough Work Credits?
Meeting the work credit requirements for Social Security disability can be challenging if you have not worked consistently over the years. For example, you may struggle to get the recent credits if you become disabled before reaching your mid-30s. Or, periods of part-time work or low earnings may prevent you from getting the lifetime credits.
If you do not have sufficient Social Security disability work credits, unfortunately you will not receive those benefits. However, you have the following options:
- File for SSI disability benefits – Supplemental Security Income does not require work credits. As long as you have limited income and assets, you can qualify for SSI disability based on medical eligibility alone.
- Request a disability hearing – If you barely miss the work credit requirement, you can request the SSA reconsider your work history and earnings at a hearing before an administrative law judge.
- Apply for early retirement – You may consider taking Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62 if you have enough credits, although the benefit amount is reduced.
- Seek benefits on a spouse’s record – If your spouse has enough work credits, you may qualify for spousal benefits based on their earnings record.
- Pursue other disability programs – Look into federal, state, or local programs that provide disability income support, healthcare, housing help, and other services.
Filing for Supplemental Security Income
For most people who do not qualify for Social Security disability due to limited work history, the best option is to apply for SSI disability benefits from the SSA. SSI is also administered by the Social Security Administration, but it does not require you to have recent work credits.
SSI pays monthly benefits to adults and children with disabilities or blindness who have low income and assets. In 2023, to get SSI you must meet the following limits:
- Earned income under $1,507 per month for an individual or $2,265 for a couple
- Unearned income under $903 per month for an individual or $1,406 for a couple
- Assets under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple
Children can have higher asset limits. Your shelter expenses can also increase the income limits slightly. As long as you fall under the thresholds based on income and resources, you can qualify for SSI disability without any work requirement.
SSI Disability Application Process
Applying for SSI involves the same disability determination process and five-step sequential evaluation as a Social Security claim. This process looks at:
- Whether you are working – if you are performing substantial gainful activity, your claim will be denied.
- The severity of your medical condition – if your impairment or combination of impairments does not meet the severity threshold, you will not qualify.
- Whether your condition is on the SSA impairment listing – if your disability meets or equals a listing, you will be approved.
- Your residual functional capacity and past work – if you can still do your past job, you will not meet the SSI disability standard.
- Your ability to perform other jobs – if you can adapt to a new line of work, your claim will be denied.
One difference with SSI claims is that you may qualify under special rules for compassionate allowances and medical-vocational allowances that make it easier to get benefits with shorter-term, more severe disabilities.
Getting Medical Records for an SSI Claim
The key when applying for SSI disability without enough work credits is providing strong medical evidence. The SSA will request records, reports, and test results from all of your doctors, therapists, counselors, hospitals, and clinics during the time you have been disabled.
Your medical records must show:
- Your diagnosed physical and mental health conditions
- Signs, symptoms, and test results confirming your impairments
- Ongoing clinical findings and observations
- Treatment you have received, such as medications, therapy, or surgery
- Limitations on your ability to function due to your disability
Records from the entire period of disability are needed, even before the date you apply for benefits. Get help from your doctors providing detailed reports on your diagnoses, treatment, prognosis, and functional limitations.
Appealing a Social Security Disability Denial
Another option if you do not have sufficient work credits is to appeal an initial denial of your Social Security disability claim. You may request reconsideration by the SSA or file an appeal with an administrative law judge.
In a disability hearing, the judge will take a close look at your earnings record and work history. They may determine you have earned enough credits to qualify if:
- You have additional earnings not originally credited on your record.
- Quarters when you were self-employed were not fully counted.
- Credits were assigned to the wrong calendar years.
- You earned just under the amount needed for credits in some years.
- Wages were mistakenly assigned to another person with a similar name or SSN.
Collect records of all your past W-2 forms, pay stubs, tax returns, and other earning documentation. Get sworn statements from previous employers verifying your work and income if needed. Present everything to the judge to prove your lifetime earnings were sufficient for Social Security disability credits.
Taking Early Social Security Retirement
While not specifically a disability benefit, you may opt to take Social Security retirement benefits before your full retirement age if you meet the work credit requirement. This provides a source of income if you cannot work due to disability.
To receive early retirement benefits, you must have at least 40 work credits. The earliest you can claim retirement is age 62, but doing so permanently reduces your monthly benefit amount. For example:
- Claiming at 62 reduces benefits by up to 30%
- Claiming at 63 reduces benefits by up to 25%
- Claiming at 64 reduces benefits by up to 20%
- Claiming at 65 reduces benefits by up to 13.3%
- Claiming at 66 reduces benefits by up to 6.7%
So weigh the pros and cons of taking Social Security early when you do not quite qualify for disability. While retirement benefits are lower, they provide income you can rely on if unable to work at your regular job.
Getting Benefits on a Spouse’s Record
If your spouse has worked enough to qualify for Social Security disability or retirement benefits, you may be able to receive payments based on their earnings record. For example, if you are caring for your spouse who is severely disabled, this allows you to get benefits even if you do not have recent work credits.
You can apply for:
- Spousal disability – Payable if you develop a disability and your spouse is receiving Social Security disability benefits.
- Spousal retirement – Payable once your spouse files for Social Security retirement benefits, as early as age 62.
- Survivor benefits – Payable when your spouse passes away if you have been married at least 9 months.
Spousal and survivor benefits are equal to up to 50% of the amount your spouse collected. The exact percentage depends on when you claim benefits.
Pursuing Other Disability Assistance Programs
If you do not qualify for Social Security or SSI disability benefits, you may look into other government and nonprofit resources available. Depending on your situation, the following may provide help:
- State or local disability programs – Many states, counties, and cities offer General Assistance, Temporary Disability Assistance, and other short-term help for disabled adults.
- Workers’ compensation – If you sustained an injury at work, workers’ comp pays disability benefits and covers medical treatment.
- Veterans disability – The VA Disability Compensation program pays benefits to veterans disabled during active duty.
- Private disability insurance – If you have paid into an individual or group long-term disability policy, you can receive income replacement.
- Medicaid – Those with low incomes who receive SSI disability are eligible for Medicaid to cover healthcare costs.
- Subsidized housing – Federal housing assistance programs provide affordable rental homes for people with disabilities.
- Charities – Various nonprofit organizations offer temporary financial aid, food, transportation, medications, and disability services.
Also look into Social Security’s Ticket to Work program. It supports disabled beneficiaries trying to return to the workforce through vocational rehabilitation, training programs, job referrals, and other employment support services.
Conclusion
Having insufficient work credits to qualify for Social Security disability benefits can be discouraging. But even if you fall short of the required number, you still have options to get financial help and access services. Filing for SSI, appealing your original claim denial, taking early retirement benefits, or using programs like workers’ compensation, Medicaid, housing assistance, and charities can provide support.
The key is not to give up just because you do not meet the work history requirements for Social Security disability. Learn about and pursue the alternatives available so you can get the disability income, healthcare, and other aid you need.
| Program | Overview | Benefits | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSI Disability | Federal program paying disability benefits to low-income adults and children | Monthly cash payments, Medicaid coverage in most states | Very limited income/assets, medically disabled |
| SSDI | Social Security disability insurance program | Monthly cash benefits, Medicare after 24 months | Must have work credits, medically disabled |
| Workers’ Comp | Provides benefits for work-related injuries and illnesses | Weekly cash payments, covers medical treatment | Injured at work, condition disabling |
| Veterans Disability | Pays disability to veterans disabled during active duty | Monthly compensation, vocational rehabilitation, healthcare | Disabled while serving in armed forces |
This table summarizes key details on major disability benefit programs. SSI helps those without work credits. SSDI requires you earn credits through working. Workers’ comp aids those hurt on the job. VA disability serves disabled veterans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many work credits are required for Social Security disability?
The number of work credits you need for Social Security disability depends on your age when you become disabled. For example, if you become disabled at age 28, you would need credit for working half the time from age 21 to 28. At age 50, you would need 40 total credits, including 20 credits within the last 10 years.
Can I get any Social Security disability benefits if I don’t have enough credits?
No, unfortunately Social Security disability specifically requires you to have earned a certain number of work credits based on your age at disability onset. If you fall short of the required credits, you cannot receive Social Security disability benefits.
What benefits can I get if I don’t have enough work credits?
If you do not have enough Social Security disability work credits, alternatives like SSI, workers’ compensation, veterans benefits, private insurance, and state/local assistance programs may be able to provide disability income support. You may also qualify for Social Security spousal benefits based on a spouse’s work record.
Can I appeal a credit denial for Social Security disability?
Yes, you can request a hearing before a Social Security administrative law judge to appeal being denied disability benefits for lack of credits. At the hearing, provide evidence of additional earnings not credited to prove you have the required number of credits.
How do I apply for SSI if I don’t have work credits?
You can apply for SSI by phone, in person at your local Social Security office, or online if you meet eligibility requirements. Be prepared to provide financial records to prove you meet SSI income and asset limits. The key is having medical evidence confirming you are disabled.
