Work Credits

Also known as Working Quarters. To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, an applicant must first have worked for a certain length of time in jobs covered by Social Security and have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of disability. In addition to meeting the Social Security’s definition of disability, an applicant must have worked long enough, and recently enough, to accumulate the necessary work credits.

Work credits are based on total yearly wages or self-employment income. Up to four (4) credits can be earned each year. The amount needed to earn a work credit changes every year. In 2025, one credit is earned for each $,1810 in wages or self-employment income. Once $7,240 has been earned in a calendar year, all four credits for that year have been earned.

The number of credits necessary to meet the recent work test depends on the age you become disabled. The rules are as follows:

Before age 24 – You may be eligible if you have 6 credits earned in the 3-year period ending when your disability starts.
Age 24 to 31 – In general, you may be eligible if you have credit for working half the time between age 21 and the time your disability began. As an example, if you develop a disability at age 27, you will need 3 years of work (12 credits) out of the past 6 years (between ages 21 and 27).
Age 31 or older – In general, you must have at least 20 credits in the 10-year period immediately before your disability began.

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