How many work credits do I need?

Question from Lynn:

Hi Alan,

I just came across your name tonight as I was researching the web on Pulmonary Hypertension. I see that you have had some experience with the Social Security system and hope that you can answer some questions for me and maybe direct me in the right direction. I am strongly considering applying for Social Security Disability. My question is whether or not I would even qualify for Disability? I am 52 and have been a stay-at-home mom for the last 19 years. I worked and earned credits between the years of 1973 and 1989. It is my understanding that I probably have not earned enough credits to qualify for Social Security Disability. I also probably will not qualify for SSI, has my husband is in a higher income bracket.

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I do not think I would have any problems medically qualifying for Disability. I have two doctors (and probably more if I asked) that would be more than happy to work with me and document my medical problems. I guess my question is do you think I would have any chance of being awarded Disability?

Response from Alan:

Hi Lynn,

The first, truest and shortest answer is: "You don't know for sure until you try."br>
But the central issue will be: "WHEN did your condition became severe enough to meet Social Security's impairment guidelines?"br>
As you note, "work credits" are the first hurdle. Work credits are the basis of all Social Security benefits and in order to receive Social Security Disability (SSD) you must have enough credits to be both "fully"and "currently" insured.

"Fully Insured" means you would need enough credits that you could retire if you reached full retirement age on the date your disability began? sliding scale with a maximum of 40 credits. You likely earned 4 credits per year while you were working, so I believe you would meet this test. Your yearly "Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement" should bear this out and give you an exact count. (This would also mean you can receive retirement benefits at age 62.)

"Currently Insured" means that 20 of the credits must have been earned in the 40 calendar quarters just prior to when your disability began; 5 years of credits in the 10 years before you became disabled. For you, this would mean that if your conditions became disabling under Social Security's guidelines before the end of 1994, you could receive Social Security. If your medical records from 1994 and before document problems connected to the ileostomy and/or other medical problems were severe then, your claim could be allowed.

So we'e back to your friends's advice and my opening statement; the only way to know for certain is to file a claim. If you do, be sure to have your medical sources from 1994 and earlier well in mind. If you have any of the records from that period, they'll be enormously useful.

Best wishes, both for your health and with this process,

Alan
 

February 19, 2008