Benefits Planner: Disability | How You Qualify 
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 shor

user: Could you help me please, I need to know how to quality for disability benefits?

assistant: To qualify for Social Security disability benefits you would first have had to work in jobs that are covered by Social Security. Have you worked in jobs covered by Social Security?

user: No I did not work in jobs covered by Social Security.

user: Are there not any special situations under which you can apply for disability benefits?

assistant: Yes there are some special situations but most people who receive disability benefits are workers who qualify on their own records and meed the work and disability requirements.  However, there are some situations you may not know about.

user: What is my condition is found in the list of disabling conditions?

assistant: If you condition is found on the list you will receive benefits.

user: What happens if I am on disability benefits and reach full retirement age? Do I receive disability payments and retirement benefits?

assistant: 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.

user: Are there any special rules for the blind?

assistant: You are considered legally blind under Social Security rules if your vision cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in your better eye or if your visual field is 20 degrees or less, even with a corrective lens.