How do I meet the earnings requirement for disability benefits?
Social Security Disability Information Guide
How do I meet the earnings requirement for disability benefits?
In general, to get disability benefits, you must meet two different earnings tests:
- A "recent work" test based on your age at the time you became disabled; and
- A "duration of work" test to show that you worked long enough under Social Security.
Certain blind workers have to meet only the "duration of work" test.
The table below shows the rules for how much work you need for the "recent work" test based on your age when your disability began. The rules in this table are based on the calendar quarter in which you turned or will turn a certain age.
The calendar quarters are:
First Quarter: January 1 through March 31
Second Quarter: April 1 through June 30
Third Quarter: July 1 through September 30
Fourth Quarter: October 1 through December 31
Rules Needed for the Recent Work Test
|
If you become disabled... |
Then you generally need: |
|
In or before the quarter you turn
age 24 |
1.5 years of work during the
three-year period ending with the quarter your disability began. |
|
In the quarter after you turn age
24 but before the quarter you turn age 31 |
Work during half the time for the
period beginning with the quarter after you turned 21 and ending with the
quarter you became disabled. |
|
In the quarter you turn age 31 or
later |
Work during five years out of the
10-year period ending with the quarter your disability began. |
If you become disabled... Then you generally need:
| Before age 28 | 1.5 years of work |
| Age 30 | 2 years |
| Age 34 | 3 years |
| Age 38 | 4 years |
| Age 42 | 5 years |
| Age 44 | 5.5 years |
| Age 46 | 6 years |
| Age 48 | 6.5 years |
| Age 50 | 7 years |
| Age 52 | 7.5 years |
| Age 54 | 8 years |
| Age 56 | 8.5 years |
| Age 58 | 9 years |
| Age 60 | 9.5 years |
Continue >> When should I apply and what information do I need?
Social Security Disability Information
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