When qualifying for a government benefits program like Social Security, there are often many hoops to jump through in terms of qualifying. For example, credits are needed in order to qualify for Social Security, and even then, the number of credits can depend on the specific type of benefits a person is trying to obtain. As a result, many Minnesota residents may wonder how credits work and how many they will need for Social Security Disability.
Essentially, individuals earn credits for the amount of time they have spent in the workforce. Currently, credits begin accruing once a person earns $1,470. When this benchmark is reached, the worker earns one accounting credit. However, there is a cap on the number of credits a person can earn each year. After earning $5,880, which is equivalent to four credits, the individual does not earn any more credits that year.
If a person is attempting to qualify for disability benefits through Social Security, credits still play a role. However, unlike retirement benefits, which require a set number of 40 credits to qualify, a person may have enough credits for disability benefits under the following circumstances:
- If a person has not yet reached the age of 24 at the time of becoming disabled, he or she may qualify if he or she earned six credits in the last three years.
- If a person is age 31 or older, he or she needs at least 20 credits earned over the last 10 years to meet this SSDI qualification.
- Other age-related and specific case-related details could affect the necessary number of credits.
Though credits play a role in qualifying for Social Security Disability, there are other requirements that applicants must meet as well. As a result, it is important that Minnesota residents who are hoping to obtain SSDI understand what specific qualifications they may need to meet for their exact circumstances. Because going through the application process can be confusing and challenging, it is often wise to have assistance throughout this process.
