To qualify for Social Security disability benefits , you must first have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. Then you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability. In general , we pay monthly benefits to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. Benefits usually continue until you are able to work again on a regular basis. There are also a number of special rules, called " work incentives, " that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help you make the transition back to work. If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits , but the amount remains the same. 

How Much Work Do You Need? 
In addition to meeting our definition of disability , you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Social Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self - employment income. You can earn up to four credits each year. The amount needed for a work credit changes from year to year. In 2019 , for example , you earn one credit for each $1,360 in wages or self - employment income. When you've earned $5,440 , you've earned your four credits for the year. The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally , you need 40 credits , 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However , younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. For more information on whether you qualify , read our publication ; How You Earn Credits. 

What We Mean By Disability 
The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short - term disability. We consider you disabled unde

user: How much should a person have worked before their disability to qualify for the benefits?

assistant: If they meet Social Security's definition of disability they also must have worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits.

assistant: Do you know what's the amount needed to get the 4 credits per year?

user: I don't

user: If an adult child is already receiving SSI benefits or disability benefits on his own record how would that affect the possibility of receiving benefits from their parents records?

assistant: They should check if they can get benefits payable on their parent's earning record to see if they can get higher benefits and if they are entitled to receive Medicare.

user: What if I have a child under the age of 18 with a disability?

assistant: In that case, we don't need to consider the child's disability when deciding if he or she qualifies for benefits as your dependent.

user: Is there any special situation in which a person can receive disability benefits?

assistant: Yes, there are situations other than the typical worker that qualify for the benefits on their own accord.

user: About qualifying for the benefit. What if my medical condition is severe and keeps me from doing basic work-related activities?

assistant: Then that would check step 2 of the qualifying process and we would go to step 3 that is checking if your condition is in the list of disabling conditions.