Can I get SSDI if I have 40 credits?

Yes, 40 credits (about 10 years of work) is generally the standard to qualify for SSDI for older adults, but for younger people, the requirement is fewer credits, with 20 within the last 10 years being the typical rule for those over 31; younger individuals need credits earned more recently relative to their age at disability onset, so 40 credits is usually enough, but the timing of those credits matters.

How many work credits do I need to qualify for SSDI?

To qualify for SSDI, you generally need 40 work credits, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before your disability started (the 20/40 rule for ages 31+), but younger individuals need fewer credits, such as those under 24 needing 6 credits in the last 3 years, and those 24-31 needing half the time worked between 21 and disability. You earn up to 4 credits yearly, based on earnings (e.g., $1,810 in wages for 1 credit in 2025). 

How many years is 40 credit hours equal to in Social Security?

40 Social Security credits equal 10 years of work, as you can earn a maximum of four credits per year based on your earnings, not necessarily calendar years; so, achieving 40 credits typically takes at least a decade of paying into the system to qualify for retirement benefits. 

What if I have 40 credits for Social Security?

Having 40 Social Security credits means you've worked enough (about 10 years) to qualify for retirement or disability benefits, making you "fully insured," but the amount you get depends heavily on your highest 35 years of earnings, not just the credits. While 40 credits is the minimum for retirement eligibility (for those born 1929 or later), working longer and earning more in those years significantly boosts your monthly payment, as years with no earnings count as zeros in the calculation. 

Can I get disability if I don't have enough credits?

You generally cannot get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) without work credits, as they're required for that program, but you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a separate, need-based program that doesn't require work credits, or potentially for survivor/spousal benefits if you're eligible through a family member's record. SSI is for low-income individuals with limited resources, while SSDI requires a sufficient work history, though younger people need fewer credits. 

Social Security 40 Credits Explained: What If You Don’t Qualify? ✅

Can I get disability if I don't have enough points?

We base your credits on the amount of your earnings. We cannot pay benefits if you don't have enough credits. Each year the amount of earnings needed for credits goes up slightly as average earnings increase.

What happens if I don't have 40 credits?

If you do not earn the required 40 credits, you will not be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. However, there are other options: Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For those who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources, SSI may provide financial assistance.

How many credits do you need for SSDI 2025?

SSDI eligibility is based on your earnings and work history. In 2025, applicants generally need: A total of 40 work credits, with at least 20 of those earned in the last 10 years before the onset of the disability. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits based on their age at the time of disability.

How many years do 40 credits cover?

As you work and pay taxes, you accumulate Social Security credits. You can earn up to four credits a year. Once you chalk up 40 credits after 10 years of work, you qualify for retirement benefits. The years and the credits don't have to be consecutive.

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

Can I buy Social Security credits?

No, you cannot buy Social Security work credits; they are earned exclusively through working and paying Social Security taxes on earnings, with a maximum of four credits per year, each requiring a specific income amount that changes annually (e.g., $1,810 in 2025). Credits are earned when you work in a job or business covered by Social Security and pay FICA taxes, not by voluntarily contributing money. 

What medical conditions qualify for SSDI?

Medical conditions that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) must be severe enough to prevent substantial work for at least 12 months, covering major body systems like musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and mental health, as detailed in the SSA's "Blue Book". Common examples include severe arthritis, heart disease, cancer, depression, Crohn's, COPD, and multiple sclerosis, but eligibility hinges on proving the condition prevents any work, not just your previous job, with sufficient work credits also needed. 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What disqualifies you from receiving disability?

You can be disqualified from disability (like Social Security) for not having enough medical proof, earning too much money ($1,620+/month in 2025 for SSDI), not following doctor's orders, your condition lasting less than a year, the disability being caused by drug/alcohol abuse, or failing to cooperate with the SSA (like attending exams). The core issue is if the condition prevents "Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)" for over a year, with strong, documented evidence.
 

What conditions qualify for adult disability payment?

To get Adult Disability Payment, you must have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, or be terminally ill.

What is the 20 40 rule for SSDI?

You have disability insured status if you: Have at least 20 credits during a 40-calendar quarter period (the 20/40 rule); The 40-calendar quarter period ends with the quarter that you are determined to be disabled; and. You are fully insured in that calendar quarter as explained in §203.

Is 40 work credits enough for SSDI?

Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year your disability begins. This is called the 20/40 Rule. However, younger workers may be eligible with fewer credits. For more information on whether you are eligible, read our publication How You Earn Credits.

What happens if I get 40 credits for Social Security?

You must earn at least 40 Social Security credits to be eligible for Social Security benefits. You earn credits when you work and pay Social Security taxes. The number of credits does not affect the amount of benefits you receive.

What is the lowest amount of Social Security you can receive?

The lowest Social Security benefit is the Special Minimum Benefit for long-term low earners, which starts at around $53.50 per month in 2025 for those with 11 years of work, scaling up to $1,123.70 for 30 years, though regular benefits are often higher now; you need at least 11 years of coverage (40 credits) and can get less if you claim before your Full Retirement Age (FRA). 

What happens if I don't have 40 credits?

What happens if I don't get 40 credits for Social Security? If you don't earn 40 work credits, you won't qualify for your own Social Security retirement benefits. However, you may still be eligible for spousal or survivor benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record.

What changes are coming to SSDI in 2026?

For 2026, the main Social Security disability changes involve a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), increasing most disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments starting January 2026, along with updated thresholds for Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) and the Trial Work Period (TWP) for working while disabled, with SGA for non-blind individuals rising to $1,690 monthly and TWP to $1,210 monthly. 

Can I get SSDI if I only worked 2 years?

You have enough work history

Generally, you must have worked for at least 5 of the last 10 years to qualify for Disability. People under the age of 24 may not need to have worked as long. Sign in and look under “More Benefits” to see if you've worked long enough to qualify.

What happens if you don't have enough credits for Social Security disability?

You cannot get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits on your own work record if you don't have enough work credits, but you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. While the SSDI program requires applicants to meet a work credits requirement, the SSI program does not.

What conditions qualify for disability?

Conditions that qualify for disability are severe physical or mental impairments that prevent substantial work for at least 12 months, with examples including cancer, heart disease, severe arthritis, mental disorders (depression, PTSD, bipolar), neurological conditions (MS, epilepsy, Parkinson's), respiratory issues (COPD, asthma), and immune system disorders (HIV, lupus). Eligibility isn't automatic; your condition must significantly limit basic work activities like walking, sitting, lifting, or remembering, and often involves meeting specific criteria in the Social Security Administration's "Blue Book" or proving your limitations are as severe as a listed condition.
 

Can I buy my Social Security credits?

No. You can't purchase, transfer, or borrow Social Security work credits. The only way to earn them is through working and paying Social Security taxes.