The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees multiple types of benefits. There are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits available for older adults with limited income, disabled children and individuals with specific medical conditions, such as vision impairments. SSI is available even to those who have never worked.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are different. They require that the applicant have enough work credits on record with the SSA to be eligible. SSDI applicants must have medical documentation showing that their health prevents them from working for at least a year.
They also need to have worked for long enough to be eligible for benefits. Can people who hold part-time jobs or who only work seasonally qualify for SSDI benefits?
Part-time workers often qualify
Most adult applicants seeking SSDI benefits need to have 40 credits on record with the SSA. There is also a recent work history requirement that mandates 20 credits accrued within the last 10 years. While that may seem likely to exclude those who only work 20 hours a week, many part-time employees actually accrue the maximum number of credits annually and are eligible for benefits.
As of 2026, the SSA grants one Social Security credit for every $1,890 earned. There is an annual maximum of four credits, so anyone who earns $7,560 each year could obtain the maximum number of credits possible. Insufficient work credits are among the most common non-medical reasons that people end up denied SSDI benefits.
Verifying the credits on record with the SSA can be an important step for those hoping to apply for SSDI benefits. Part-time workers with debilitating medical conditions may require assistance as they gather documentation, review SSA records and prepare the paperwork necessary to request SSDI benefits. Having experienced legal guidance can help.