When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it’s important to understand one of the most crucial requirements – the accumulation of enough work credits. This is something that is often misunderstood, as SSDI is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in that it’s an insurance program you pay into through payroll taxes, rather than based on financial need.
Your eligibility for SSDI depends not only on the severity of your medical condition, but also on your work history. At Tabak Law, we have experienced Milwaukee SSDI attorneys who can help guide you through the complex system and explain how work credits affect your claim. We ensure that you understand the importance of accumulating enough work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits.
What Are Work Credits?
Work credits are the basis for SSDI eligibility. You earn credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. The number of credits needed varies each year. Generally, 40 credits are needed, 20 of which must be earned in the 10 years before the year in which you become disabled. Younger workers may need fewer credits. For more information on how credits are calculated, please visit the Social Security Administration’s website.
This structure means that SSDI is designed for individuals who have had a significant and recent attachment to the workforce. If you have not worked enough or your work history is too old, you may not be eligible for SSDI benefits, regardless of the severity of your disability.
How Work Credits Intersect with the Definition of Disability
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must meet the strict definition of disability set by the Social Security Administration. This means your condition must be severe and expected to last at least one year or result in death, and it must prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA is any work that earns more than a certain amount per month. Even if you meet these medical criteria, you may not be eligible for SSDI benefits unless you have the necessary work credits. The eligibility process has two parts: medical eligibility and insurance eligibility.
This differs significantly from SSI, which does not have a work requirement but has strict income and resource limits. It is crucial to understand which program you are applying for or are potentially eligible for in order to make an informed decision.
The Importance of Your 15-Year Work History
While work credits do determine your insurance eligibility, the details of your work history over the past 15 years play a pivotal role in the medical-vocational assessment of your claim. A disability examiner or administrative law judge will review this history to determine whether you can return to your previous job or adapt to other work.
This is where the legal process becomes very technical. Concepts such as skill transferability and the Medical-Vocational Guidelines (“the Grid”) are applied. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) believes that you can return to your previous job or adapt to other work, your application is likely to be denied. Our SSDI lawyers in Milwaukee carefully analyze your work history along with your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to challenge these claims effectively.
What If You’re Close to Having Enough Credits?
Situations often arise when a worker becomes disabled shortly after leaving the workforce or during a period of reduced work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has rules regarding “date last insured” (DLI). Your DLI is the last date you met the work credit requirements. If your disability onset date is before your DLI, you may still be eligible for benefits. Proving an earlier onset date often requires skilled legal argument and strong medical evidence. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to establish this timeline.
Take the Next Step with Tabak Law
Navigating the SSDI system’s dual requirements – medical severity and work credits – can be challenging. Most initial claims are denied, often due to miscalculations of an individual’s ability to work or oversight of work history.
If you are unable to work due to a serious medical condition, please do not assume that you lack the required work credits. Contact the SSDI lawyers at Tabak Law for a detailed case evaluation. We will review your employment history, explain the credit system, and assist you in gathering the medical and occupational evidence needed to strengthen your claim. For further information on work credits, please visit the SSA’s official page on credits.