As an employee in the United States, you’re entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you are unable to work due to injury or sickness. However, not everyone is eligible for SSDI coverage, as you must meet specific work history requirements with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
While you don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for SSDI, you must be a documented worker who has been employed for a certain period of time. Since it can be difficult to get the documentation together to prove your work history, you’re well-advised to work with attorneys like those at Casa de la Justicia.
Our bilingual team will translate SSA forms into Spanish and explain the whole process to you. Casa de la Justicia has experience with complex government forms – we also know exactly what backup documents you need to validate your claim.
Is SSDI Based on Your Work History?
Unlike worker’s comp where you are eligible for coverage as soon as you start a job, you need a rather extensive work history to qualify for SSDI. The SSA came up with a point system known as “Social Security Credits” that are used to measure employment qualifications.
What are Social Security Credits?
The SSA applies credits to track of your work history for Social Security benefits. The system is set up so you can earn a maximum of 4 credits per year – totals can vary slightly with your income. According to the SSA website, “in 2022, for example, you earn one credit for each $1,510 in wages or self-employment income. When you’ve earned $6,040 you’ve earned your four credits for the year.”
For SSDI claims, you must verify 5 years of work in the past 10 years and have earned 20 credits.
What are the Work Requirements for SSDI Acceptance?
While the SSA credit system might seem a bit confusing, don’t worry, there are easier ways to figure out if you qualify for SSDI. All you have to do is ensure that you meet the minimum criteria – the lawyers at Casa de la Justicia will handle the rest.
The basic work requirements needed for SSDI coverage include:
- Legal work status in the U.S.
- Worked and paid taxes for 5 of the past 10 years
- Full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees qualify
- Can’t still be working when you file for SSDI
Our team at Casa de la Justicia can assist you in determining whether you are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. Even if you have previously been denied, our attorneys may be able to assist you in qualifying. Contact us today at 1-800-840-8080 to set up a consultation.
How Many Years of Work History Does the SSA Look at?
When you fill out a Work History Report from the SSA, they ask you to include all the jobs you worked for 15 years before your injury. While they will ask for 15 years of work history, you only need to have worked for 5 of the past 10 years.
Another challenging part of the SSDI application process is that “the number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when your disability begins.” For example, people under 24 yrs. old can get disability with only 6 credits, while those ages 24-31 are eligible with 12 credits.
Can I Get SSDI If I Never Worked?
Unfortunately, you are not eligible for SSDI coverage if you have never worked in the United States. However, you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you are permanently disabled.
What if I Don’t Have Enough Work Credits for SSDI?
The first thing you should do if you don’t have enough work credits for SSDI is to speak to a lawyer. If your SSDI application was denied, there is always a chance that you got some of the information wrong with Social Security credits, age requirements, etc.
If you are positive that you don’t have enough work credits for SSDI, you might still qualify for SSI payments. While SSDI coverage is only available to people who have met certain work history criteria, SSI payments are “designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income.”
Basic SSI requirements include:
- Blind, disabled, or over 65 yrs. old with limited income
- U.S. citizen, national, or documented alien
- Reside within the United States
Questions About SSDI Benefits? Contact Us!
Due to the complexity of the SSDI application process, it can be quite challenging to get everything right. Applications are even harder when you don’t speak English.
Contact Casa de la Justicia to get a free consultation on your SSDI application.
