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: Hi there, I 'm looking for some info about how a person may qualify for a disability benefit?

assistant: I understand you want to know about if you are eligible for disability?

user: No, not me.

user: Look, lets go over other question. What can you tell about if a disabled dult may be eligible for benefits?

assistant: It's possible, But for that, such adult must be disabled before age 22 and to have a deceased parent or such parent starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. It is considered a child's benefit because is paid on a parent Social Security record.

user: Oh, that's interesting. Look, about that disability, what can you tell me if  i'm not able to do my current work anymore?

assistant: Are you currently unable to perform any work?

user: No, nothing like that, just being curious about it.

user: Another question, please. I have this relative who have vision problems. How much is the monthly earnings she can get?

assistant: No problem. by 2019, those earning has limits for $2,040.

user: O.k thanks. I suppose you have a disability list in order to classify people and choose if they are eligible, right?.What about if there is a disability which isn't there?

assistant: In that case, we need to decide if that disability is severe enough as medical condition and find out if you're effectively disabled.