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: DO I need to work in jobs covered by paypal

assistant: we decide if your medical impairment prevents you from performing any of your past work

assistant: If it doeswe proceed to Step 5

user: Ca you did work you did in the past?

user: If a child is age 18 or older ,we will evaluate his or her disability the same way we would evaluate the disability for any adult

assistant: Does that sound good?

user:  we ll decide that you don t have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied 

assistant:  we ll decide that you don t have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied 

user: What if the adult child is already receiving SSI benefits or disability benefits on his or her own record?

assistant: An adult child already receiving SSI benefits or disability benefits on his or her own record should still check to see if benefits may be payable on a parent 's earnings record 

user: can you do any other type of work

assistant:  If you can t do the work you did in the past , [81] we look to see if there is other work you could do despite your impairment .

user: If you can do other work , [86] we ll decide that you don t have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied 

assistant: If you can do other work , [86] we ll decide that you don t have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied