Social Security work credits are earned each quarter someone works and has Social Security deductions made.
If you are 31 years of age or older, you must earn between 20 and 40 credits in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled. Social Security Administration has a chart documenting exactly how many credits must be earned for each age range from 31 through 62 and older. For example, a 50-year-old claimant must have earned 28 credits during the 10 years immediately before becoming disabled. For claimants under the age of 31, fewer credits are needed.
If you have not obtained the requisite number of credits, you will not qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, however, you may still qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you can demonstrate that your disability meets Social Security’s standard.
If you have questions regarding a pending Social Security claim, feel free to contact our office.