What Are Social Security Work Credits?

Social Security credits are earned through the work you’ve done and the Social Security taxes you’ve paid during your employment. Here’s a breakdown:

• 1 Credit per Quarter: You can earn up to 4 credits per year. In 2025, you earn 1 credit for every $1,640 in earnings, up to a maximum of 4 credits in a year.
• Total Needed for SSDI: To qualify for SSDI, you need a total of 40 credits over your lifetime. This generally means 10 years of work, but younger workers may need fewer credits.

How Do You Earn Credits?

To earn credits, you must work and pay Social Security taxes. The amount required to earn a credit changes each year, but in general:

• For 2025: You’ll earn one credit for every $1,640 you earn.
• 4 Credits Maximum per Year: The most credits you can earn in a year is 4, which means you need to work at least 4 quarters (3-month periods) per year to earn the maximum credits.

For example, if you earn $6,560  in 2025, you would have earned the maximum of 4 credits  for that year.

Do You Have 40 Credits?

To determine if you have 40 credits, follow these steps:

• Check Your Work History: You can check your Social Security earnings history to see how many credits you’ve earned. This can be done by:
• Reviewing Your Pay Stubs: Look at your pay stubs to see if Social Security taxes have been withheld.
• Online Access: Use the Social Security Administration (SSA) website to check your record and determine how many credits you have earned.
• Create a My Social Security Account: If you don’t have an account, visit the SSA website at www.ssa.gov and create a My Social Security account. This free online service allows you to view your earnings history and determine how many credits you have.
• SSA Earnings Record: Once logged in to your My Social Security account, you can access your Earnings Record to see the wages you’ve earned and how many credits you’ve accumulated each year.

What If You Don’t Have 40 Credits?

If you don’t have 40 credits yet, don’t worry—there are options:

• Work More: If you’re not yet eligible for SSDI, continuing to work and pay into Social Security can help you accumulate more credits over time.
• Younger Workers: If you’re under the age of 31, the number of credits needed to qualify for SSDI is lower. For example, someone aged 24 to 30 may need fewer than 40 credits to qualify, depending on their age.
• Spouse or Ex-Spouse: If you don’t have enough credits, you may still be able to receive benefits based on your spouse’s or ex-spouse’s work record, as long as certain conditions are met.

How to Apply for Social Security Benefits

If you have earned 40 credits, or meet the required credits based on your age, you can proceed to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Here’s what to do next:

• Review Your Health Condition: Ensure your medical condition meets the SSA’s definition of a disability, which must be severe enough to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death.
• Prepare Documentation: Gather your medical records and any documentation related to your work history.
• Apply Online: You can apply for SSDI benefits online via the SSA’s website at www.ssa.gov.