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: How do people qualify for disability benefits?

assistant: Do you mean Social Security disability benefits?

user: yes

assistant: Those that have worked in jobs that social security cover and have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability can qualify for the benefit.

user: For those with a blind disability, what if they don't meet the legal definition of blindness?

assistant: If their visual problems alone or combined with other health problems keep them from working, then they still can qualify for disability benefits.

user: can you give me a TTY number to request an appointment?

assistant: Sure, you can use the TTY number 1-800-325-0778

user: For an adult child with a disability, is it necessary that they had worked before?

assistant: It's not necessary. The benefits the child would receive are based on the parent's earnings.

user: What would happen if a worker dies?

assistant: the benefits would e paid to the widow, widower or surviving divorced spouse with a disability if he or she is between ages 50 and 60, their condition meets our definition of disability of adults and the disability started before or after 7 years of the worker's death.