If you’ve been injured or have a medical condition that prevents you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. To qualify, you must have a disability that meets the Social Security Administration (SSA) definition, either from the SSA’s Listing of Impairments or a condition of equal severity.

In addition to meeting the medical requirements, your SSDI eligibility depends on your work history. Specifically, the SSA considers the number of Social Security Disability work credits you’ve earned to determine if you’ve contributed enough through past employment to qualify for benefits.

What Are Social Security Disability Work Credits?

Work credits are earned through wages or self-employment income and determine your eligibility for SSDI benefits. Each year, you can earn up to four credits based on your income.

The earnings required for a single credit change annually. In 2025, you’ll receive one credit for every $1,730 you earn. Once you’ve earned four credits, you’ve reached the limit for that year.

Work Credit Requirements Based on Age

The number of work credits needed to qualify for SSDI depends on your age and when your disability began. Generally, older applicants need more credits because they’ve had more time to work and contribute.

Here are a few examples:

● Under 24: You’ll need six credits from the three years leading up to your disability.

● Ages 24 to 31: You need credits for working about half the time between age 21 and when you became disabled.

● Ages 31 and older: You typically need at least 20 credits from the last 10 years. Most applicants will need a total of 40 credits.

Knowing how many SSDI work credits you have is essential when applying for benefits. You can check your work credit status by visiting the Social Security Administration’s website at ssa.gov or calling their toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213..

If you have any questions about your social security disability work credits or believe your record contains errors, an SSDI attorney can help.

What About Self-Employed and Non-Traditional Workers?

If you’re self-employed, a freelancer, or work gig jobs, your Social Security taxes are paid through self-employment taxes when you file your annual tax return. This is done using Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax), which calculates the Social Security and Medicare taxes you owe.

Unlike traditional employees who have these taxes automatically withheld from their paychecks, self-employed individuals are responsible for paying both the employer and employee portions of these taxes.

Here’s the good news. You still earn work credits just like anyone else. The amount you need to earn for a credit is the same ($1,730 in 2025). Just make sure you’re accurately reporting your income.

Some non-traditional workers may also qualify through a combination of past jobs and self-employment income. An SSDI attorney can review your situation and assess how many Social Security Disability work credits you have to determine eligibility.

What If You Don’t Have Enough SSDI Work Credits?

If you find yourself without enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, there may still be options available.

Check for Errors

Mistakes in your earnings record could lead to an SSDI denial. Common issues include:

● Employers failing to report wages correctly

● SSA system errors

● Self-employment income not accurately recorded

If errors are affecting your eligibility, an SSDI attorney can review your earnings record, gather supporting documents, and help correct inaccuracies to improve your chances of approval.

Look Into Family Benefits

If you don’t qualify for SSDI based on your work history, you may still be eligible for benefits through a spouse’s or parent’s record:

● Disabled adult children can receive benefits from a parent’s work record if their disability began before age 22.

● Spousal benefits allow individuals to receive benefits based on their spouse’s work record, even without sufficient credits of their own. However, to receive these benefits, the individual must be at least 62 years old, and the amount may be reduced if taken before reaching full retirement age.

● Survivor’s benefits may be available to widows, widowers, or dependents of a deceased worker who earned enough credits.

An SSDI attorney can help you determine if you qualify for benefits under a family member’s record.

Apply for Supplemental Security Income Instead

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program designed for people with limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, SSI doesn’t require work credits. Instead, the SSA evaluates your financial situation to determine eligibility.

Because of its strict income and asset limits, qualifying for SSI can be difficult, but it may provide financial relief for those who don’t qualify for SSDI.

How Goodwyn Law Firm Can Help

The SSDI system can be difficult to navigate, especially if you’ve been denied benefits or are unsure whether you qualify. At Goodwyn Law Firm, we have decades of experience helping clients in Columbia, South Carolina, and surrounding communities get the benefits they’ve earned.

If you have questions about your eligibility or need assistance with a SSDI claim or appeal, we’re here to help. Call 803-251-4517 or contact us online for an initial consultation.