All working adults contribute to Social Security. Every time your employer pays you, they withhold part of your income for taxes, including contributions to Social Security. If you are self-employed, run your own business or work as a contractor, you will pay those taxes yourself.
Most people plan on making a claim against Social Security for retirement benefits when they stop working. However, some people will have medical issues that force them to stop working before the age of retirement. These people may apply for Social Security Disability Insurance SSDI benefits.
Have you worked long enough to qualify for SSDI?
You need to have credits to qualify
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews applications for SSDI benefits, they look at someone’s credits to determine what they should receive. Their age and their recent work history will also influence their right to make a claim.
You receive work credits based on your payroll contributions. Currently, workers can accrue one credit for $1,510 in taxed employment income. You can accrue up to four credits each year. Usually, workers need to have 40 credits in total to make a benefits claim, and 20 of those credits should be from within the last 10 years.
However, workers in their 20s and early 30s may qualify for SSDI with less work history. Workers under the age of 24 only need six credits, while those over the age of 31 need at least 20 credits in the last ten years to qualify. Understanding the qualifications for SSDI benefits can help you make decisions about filing a claim.