What Are Work Credits and Why Do They Matter for SSDI?

To qualify for SSDI, you need to have earned work credits, which are based on the amount of money you’ve paid into the Social Security system through employment. For 2025, you earn one work credit for every $1,710 you earn in wages or self-employment income (the exact threshold can change each year). The maximum number of work credits you can earn in one year is four.

The number of work credits required for SSDI eligibility depends on your age:

• Under age 24: You generally need 6 credits earned in the past 3 years.
• Ages 24 to 31: You need a combination of 6 to 12 credits based on your age and work history.
• Ages 31 and older: You need 20 credits earned over the past 10 years.

If you don’t have enough work credits, you typically won’t qualify for SSDI. But there are some alternatives that may help you get benefits.

How to Get SSDI Without Enough Work Credits

If you don’t have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, here are some potential options:

Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

If you don’t have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) might be an option for you. SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history. It’s designed to assist individuals who are:

• Age 65 or older
• Blind or disabled
• Have limited income and assets

Unlike SSDI, SSI does not require work credits. Instead, it’s based on financial need, so even if you haven’t worked enough to qualify for SSDI, you may still be eligible for SSI if your income and resources meet the requirements.

Apply for SSDI Through a Parent’s Work Record (If Applicable)

If you’re younger and have a parent who worked long enough to qualify for SSDI, you may be able to apply for Social Security Disability benefits based on their work record. This is often an option for individuals who are:

• Under age 22 and are disabled.
• The disabled child of a parent who qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits or retirement.

This is called Child’s Benefits or Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits. Even if you don’t have enough work credits on your own, you can still qualify based on your parent's earnings record if they’ve contributed sufficiently to Social Security.

Consider Medicaid or State-Based Disability Programs

If you don’t qualify for SSDI or SSI, you may be eligible for state-based disability programs or Medicaid. Many states, including those in the U.S., have additional assistance programs for individuals who don’t meet the federal criteria for SSDI but still need support.

For example, Indiana or Washington State may offer state disability benefits or services to support individuals with disabilities who don’t qualify for federal SSDI. You’ll want to check with your state’s health and human services office to see if these programs are available to you.

Seek Help from an Experienced Disability Lawyer

Navigating the Social Security Disability application process can be complicated, especially when it comes to not having enough work credits. Working with an experienced disability lawyer can help you explore all available options. A lawyer can assist with:

• Applying for SSI if you don’t have enough SSDI work credits.
• Understanding alternative eligibility routes like the Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits.
• Navigating the appeals process if your application is denied.

Consider Other Government Assistance

Aside from SSI, there are other forms of government assistance that may provide support if you cannot qualify for SSDI due to insufficient work credits. This may include programs like food assistance (SNAP), housing assistance, or state-level medical assistance programs. These programs may offer a safety net to help you while you explore other disability-related benefits.