You need 40 work credits total, with 20 of them earned in the 10 years before you become disabled

Social Security counts your work history in units called work credits. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in wages you pay Social Security taxes on, up to a maximum of four credits per year. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses these credits to decide whether you meet the work requirement for SSDI.

The standard rule is straightforward: you need 40 credits total, and at least 20 of those credits must come from work in the 10 years when ready before you become disabled. If you became disabled in 2024, those 20 recent credits would need to come from work between 2014 and 2024.

The dollar amount that counts toward a credit changes each year. The SSA publishes the current year's amount in January. Even if you worked part-time or for only part of a year, you can still earn credits as long as you paid into Social Security.

Key Takeaways

  • You need 40 work credits total to meet SSDI's work requirement, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before you became disabled.
  • You earn one credit per $1,730 in wages (2024 amount), up to four credits per year, regardless of how many jobs you held.
  • The SSA counts only wages you paid Social Security taxes on — self-employment income counts if you paid self-employment tax.
  • If you became disabled before age 31, you may need fewer credits under a separate rule for younger workers.
  • You can check your work credits by creating a my Social Security account online or by calling the SSA.

How the SSA counts your work credits

Work credits are not the same as hours worked or paychecks received. The SSA looks at your total wages for the year and divides by the annual credit amount. If you earned $6,920 in 2024, you would receive four credits for that year (the maximum). If you earned $3,460, you would receive two credits.

Self-employed people earn credits the same way, but based on net self-employment income after you subtract the self-employment tax deduction. If you worked under the table or in jobs where you did not pay Social Security taxes, those years do not count toward your credits.

The SSA keeps a record of your earnings history. You can see your own record by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, or by calling 1-800-772-1213 to request a Social Security Statement by mail.

The younger worker rule: fewer credits if you became disabled before 31

If you became disabled before age 31, you may not need the full 40 credits. Instead, you need one credit for each year after age 21 up to the year you became disabled, with a minimum of six credits.

For example, if you became disabled at age 26, you would need credits for five years of work (ages 21 through 26), but the SSA would accept as few as six credits total. This rule exists because younger workers have had less time to build a work history.

If you were born deaf or became disabled before age 22, you may have other options. Contact the SSA directly to discuss your specific situation.

What happens if you do not have enough credits

If you do not have 40 credits, or if you do not have 20 credits in the past 10 years, you do not meet SSDI's work requirement. The SSA will deny your claim based on insufficient work history.

In this situation, you may still be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a separate program that does not require work credits. SSI is based on financial need rather than work history. You can ask the SSA to consider you for SSI at the same time you explore for SSDI, or you can explore for SSI separately.

If you are close to having enough credits, you might also wait to explore if your condition allows it. Credits earned after you become disabled do not count, but if you are still working and paying into Social Security, you could earn additional credits before your official disability date.

How to check your work credits before you explore

The fastest way to see your credits is to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you log in, you can view your earnings record and see exactly how many credits you have earned in each year. This record is usually updated by mid-year for the previous year's earnings.

If you do not use online accounts, you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a Social Security Statement. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card if you have it.

Review your earnings record carefully. If you see missing years or years with lower earnings than you remember, contact the SSA right away. You have a limited time to correct errors, and the SSA can sometimes add missing earnings if you provide pay stubs or tax returns as proof.

Credits and your family members' benefits

Your work credits determine not only whether you can receive SSDI, but also whether your family members can receive benefits based on your work record. If you have a spouse, ex-spouse, or children, they may be able to receive benefits on your SSDI claim if you meet the work requirement.

Your family members do not need their own work credits to receive these benefits. Instead, they receive a percentage of your benefit amount. The total amount paid to your entire family is capped at 150 to 180 percent of your own benefit, depending on how many family members are receiving benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn work credits after I become disabled?

No. The SSA stops counting work credits on the date your disability begins. If you continue to work after that date, those earnings do not add to your credit total. However, if you are still working and not yet officially disabled, you can continue to earn credits until your disability date is established.

Do I need 40 credits if I am explore for SSDI as a widow or widower?

No. Widow and widower benefits are based on your deceased spouse's work record, not your own. You do not need work credits to receive these benefits, though your spouse must have had enough credits at the time of death.

What if I worked in another country?

Work performed outside the United States generally does not count toward Social Security credits, with some exceptions. If you worked for a U.S. employer or a U.S. government agency abroad, those credits usually count. Contact the SSA to discuss your specific work history.

How long does it take to earn 40 credits?

Since you can earn up to four credits per year, you need at least 10 years of work to earn 40 credits. However, you do not need to work 10 consecutive years — the credits can come from any time in your life, as long as 20 of them are recent enough to meet the 10-year rule.

Can I check my credits without creating an online account?

Yes. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and request a Social Security Statement, or visit your local Social Security office. You can also create a my Social Security account by phone if you prefer not to do it online.