What Is a Quarter of Coverage for SSDI Benefits?
What is the coverage for SSDI benefits?
My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better. Today we’re going to talk about what a quarter of coverage is for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
What Is a Quarter of Coverage?
Quarters of coverage are units used by the Social Security Administration to measure an individual’s work history and eligibility for SSDI benefits.
Work credits are earned based on the individual’s earnings from employment covered by Social Security throughout the year. In 2023, one quarter of coverage was earned for every $1,640 in covered earnings, up to a maximum of four quarters of coverage per year.
How Many Work Credits Are Needed for SSDI?
To be eligible for SSDI benefits, an individual typically needs to accumulate a specific number of work credits based on their age at the time of disability. The number of required work credits depends on when a person becomes disabled.
- For example, most individuals need 40 work credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled.
- For younger individuals, they may qualify with fewer credits since they have not been in the workforce as long. For example, someone disabled before the age of 24 may need as few as six credits earned in the three years before becoming disabled.
How Are Work Credits Tracked?
The Social Security Administration calculates work credits based on an individual’s Social Security earnings record, which includes wages that are subject to Social Security taxes.
Work credits are specific to SSDI benefits and are separate from the financial criteria used to determine eligibility for needs-based programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Final Thoughts
Remember that work credits are just one aspect of SSDI eligibility, and the program can be complex. Eligibility determinations depend on several factors, including:
- The severity of the disability
- The applicant’s work history
It’s important that you seek guidance from the Social Security Administration or a qualified attorney to understand the specific requirements for SSDI benefits in your case.
Thanks so much for watching!
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