Work Credits and You

One of the criteria for winning your Texas Social Security Disability claim is proving you have the minimum number of “work credits.” The number of work credits you need for Texas Social Security disability benefits depends on your age when you became disabled. Generally you need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you became disabled.

However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. The rules are as follows:

  • Before age 24: You may qualify if you have six credits earned in the three-year period ending when your disability starts.
  • Age 24 to 31: You may qualify if you have credit for having worked half the time between 21 and the time you become disabled. For example, if you become disabled at age 27, you would need credit for three years of work (12 credits) out of the past six years (between age 21 and age 27).
  • Age 31 or older: In general, you will need to have the number of work credits shown in the chart shown below. Unless you are blind, at least 20 of the credits must have been earned in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled.

31 through 42

20

44

22

46

24

48

26

50

28

52

30

54

32

56

34

58

36

60

38

62 or older

40

Myth: A New Application is a Valid Appeal

A new application for Social Security Disability benefits is not a valid strategy to appeal if you have been denied benefits. In some ways, filing a new application may be the worst plan of action.

More than half of Social Security Disability claims are won at the appeals level. If you give up after being denied the first time, you never get to the appeals level where your greatest chance for success is.

To maximize your chance of success, once your first application is denied hire a Texas Social Security Disability Lawyer and pursue all reasonable appeals to get your case the attention it deserves.