If you’re applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, one of the first things the Social Security Administration (SSA) looks at is whether you’ve worked enough in recent years to qualify for benefits. This is measured using something called “work credits.”

If you’ve been told you don’t qualify because you haven’t worked 5 out of the last 10 years, this article will help you understand what that means — and why work history plays such a big role in getting SSD benefits.

What Are Work Credits?

Work credits are how the SSA keeps track of your work history. You earn them by working and paying Social Security taxes through your paycheck.

As of 2025:

You earn 1 work credit for every $1,730 in wages or self-employment income.
You can earn up to 4 credits per year.

So if you work a full-time job all year, you’ll typically earn all 4 credits for that year.

How Many Credits Do You Need for SSD?

It depends on your age at the time you become disabled, but here’s a general rule of thumb:

Most adults need 40 credits total (about 10 years of work).
At least 20 of those credits must have been earned in the 10 years before you became disabled.

This is often called the “5 out of 10” rule — meaning you must have worked at least 5 of the past 10 years to qualify.

If you’re younger than 31, you may qualify with fewer credits. For example:

If you’re 24–30, you may need just half the time worked since age 21.
If you’re under 24, you may qualify with as little as 1.5 years of recent work.

Why Work Credits Matter

Social Security Disability is an insurance program — which means you must have paid into the system to qualify for benefits. If you haven’t worked enough recently:

SSA may determine your “insured status” has expired.
Even if you are medically disabled, your claim could be automatically denied.

It’s like having car insurance: if you stop paying your premiums, you can’t file a claim later — even if you have a legitimate need.

What If I Don’t Have Enough Work Credits?

If you haven’t worked 5 of the last 10 years, you may not qualify for SSD, but there may still be other options:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
If you have limited income and assets, you might qualify for SSI — a separate disability program that doesn’t require work credits.
Survivor or Dependent Benefits:
If you’re the spouse or child of someone who qualified for SSDI, you may be eligible for benefits under their record.
Veteran or Workers’ Comp Benefits:
If your disability is related to military service or a workplace injury, other benefits may be available.

Final Thoughts

Work credits are one of the most important — and most misunderstood — parts of qualifying for Social Security Disability. If you haven’t worked 5 out of the last 10 years, it likely means you don’t meet the technical requirements for SSD.

But don’t give up hope. Other programs like SSI may still be available depending on your situation.

If you’re not sure how many work credits you’ve earned, you can check your record by creating a mySocialSecurity account at ssa.gov. You can also speak to a disability expert to help you understand your options and next steps.

✅ How to Know If You Have Enough Work Credits for SSD

You likely meet the SSD work credit requirement if:

You’ve worked at least 5 of the last 10 years, and
You’ve earned at least 20 work credits during that time
You’re over age 31 and became disabled after that work period

You may qualify with fewer credits if:

You’re under age 31
• Ages 24–30: You may need 12–18 credits
• Under 24: You may only need 6 credits (about 1.5 years of recent work)

You probably don’t qualify for SSD if:

You haven’t worked at all in the past 5+ years
You haven’t earned enough credits recently, even if you worked in the past
You never paid into Social Security (e.g., cash jobs without taxes withheld)

💡 Pro Tip:
To check your current work credit status, create a free account at SSA.gov/myaccount. It shows how many credits you’ve earned and whether you’re “insured” for SSD benefits.

🛑 Don’t qualify for SSD?
You may still be eligible for SSI — a separate program for people with limited income and few resources.