Earned Work Credits

Eddie Farah

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 415

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You may associate Social Security with retirement, but it is actually much broader and more complex. Social Security also compensates for disability, which is defined as the inability to work because of any medically determined physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or last for a continuous period of 12 months or more. Social Security disability does not cover partial or short-term disabilities

Social Security Administration studies show that a 20-year old worker has a 3-in-10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.

One aspect for eligibility under the SSA Disability Program is work credits. When you work and pay Social Security taxes, an individual earns up to a maximum of "four credits" each year. The amount of earnings it takes to earn a credit changes each year. In 2005, you must earn $920 in earnings to qualify for one Social Security or Medicare work credit. To gather the maximum four credits for the year, earnings must be at least $3,680. In 2006 the figures changed and you must have earned $970 to qualify for Social Security or Medicare work credit and the yearly total has increased to $3,880 for the maximum of four credits.
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Other aspects of the Disability Program include injuries sustained and diagnosed medical conditions, your age, etc.

Security disability rules and regulations are complex and often confusing. Our firm is experienced in the Social Security Administration's Disability Program and helping individuals overcome the hurdle of being denied disability by the SSA.