Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the system. Between birth certificates, award letters, pay stubs, and settlement agreements, among other documents, being organized is a must. A key piece of this puzzle is your work history. This article will help you understand why having your work history is essential, how it affects your chances of approval, and what you need to do to make a big difference.
Work Credits and Eligibility
To qualify for SSDI, you need “work credits” earned throughout your working years. Think of these credits as proof to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you’ve paid into the system and have a work history. In addition, to qualify for SSDI, you need to prove you are unable to do any of the jobs you’ve done over the last 5 years and that the job skills you acquired in those jobs wouldn’t transfer to jobs you’re capable of doing. (For individuals under age 50, they must also prove there would be no other jobs that exist in significant numbers in the US economy that they’d be able to do on a full-time basis).
Why Social Security Asks for Your Work History
Social Security asks for your work history for two main reasons:
1. Work Credits Determine Eligibility:
· Work credits, earned by paying Social Security taxes, demonstrate your attachment to the workforce.
· To qualify for SSDI, you need a minimum number of credits, some of which must be recent.
2. Work History Helps Assess Your Disability:
· The SSA uses your work history to understand the type of work you did and your ability level before your disability.
· This helps determine the severity of your disability and your ability to return to work you’ve done in the past. It also helps determine whether you acquired job skills that would transfer to work you are capable of doing.
Earning Work Credits:
· How You Earn Them: You earn work credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,640 in earnings, up to four credits per year.
· Requirements Based on Age: The number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before the disability. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
Current Requirements for Work Credits Based on Age at Disability Onset:
| Age at Disability Onset | Number of Credits Needed |
| Before 24 | 6 credits earned in the 3 years before disability |
| 24 to 31 | Credits for half the time between the age of 21 and the age you become disabled |
| 31 and older | 20 credits in the last 10 years before disability |
Calculating Benefits:
· Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME): Social Security calculates your benefits based on your highest-earning 35 years of work, adjusted for inflation.
· Primary Insurance Amount (PIA): Your AIME determines your PIA, the amount you would receive at your full retirement age, calculated using a formula that replaces a percentage of your AIME.
Past Work Capabilities
The SSA evaluates your past jobs to understand your ability to work and how your disability affects this capability. They consider the types of work you have done in the past 15 years, your job duties, and the skills you acquired. This helps determine if you can adjust to other types of work despite your disability.
The Work History Report (Form SSA-3369)
The Work History Report (Form SSA-3369) is crucial to your SSDI application. It provides the SSA with detailed information about your past employment, helping them assess your ability to work.
What It Is:
· Details: The Work History Report documents your employment history, including job duties, work conditions, and physical and mental demands.
What Information Is Included:
· Employers: Names and addresses of past employers.
· Dates: Start and end dates for each job.
· Duties: Detailed descriptions of job duties and responsibilities.
· Physical/Mental Demands: Information about the physical and mental demands of your employment, including lifting, walking, sitting, and other activities.
How to Complete Your Work History Report:
· Access the Form: The Work History Report (SSA-3369) is available on the SSA website.
· Filling Out the Form: Provide all requested details thoroughly and accurately. Use additional sheets if necessary to ensure you cover all aspects of your past work.
· Submission: Submit the completed form along with your SSDI application.
Accessing Your Work History
To accurately complete your Work History Report, it may help to obtain your official earnings record from the SSA .
Here’s how to access your earnings record:
· Form SSA-7050-F4: Also known as “Request for Social Security Earnings Information.” Request your income record by filling out Form SSA-7050-F4 on the SSA website.
· Submission Methods: You can submit your request online, by mail, or by phone. Submitting online is usually the quickest and most convenient option.
A complete and accurate work history is essential for a successful SSDI application. Understanding how your work history affects your eligibility and carefully documenting your past employment can enhance your chances of receiving the benefits you are legally entitled to.
Trajector Disability can assist you in gathering your documents and navigating the SSDI application process. Contact us for expert guidance and support.
Related FAQs
What qualifies as work history for SSDI?
Under Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), there is a requirement for substantial work, which is measured by "work credits." These credits are earned through your contributions to Social Security while working. Generally, you need to have worked for at least five out of the last ten years before becoming disabled. The number of credits required varies based on your age; younger workers typically need fewer credits than older workers. However, most adults need approximately 40 credits, with 20 of those earned in the last ten years, to qualify for benefits.
Will working affect my SSDI?
Yes, it may. Working will affect your SSDI benefits if your earnings go over the Substantial Gainful Activity limit set yearly by the SSA. The SGA limit in the year 2024 is $1,470 a month for non-blind and $2,460 for blind individuals. On the other side, SSDI recipients can return to work using the Trial Work Period. An SSDI recipient may work up to nine months without the loss of benefits, provided the earnings are not higher than threshold amounts set by the SSA.
Why does SSA ask for work history?
The SSA requests that you provide a detailed description of your work history. This information will help them evaluate your disability, not only in terms of your ability to perform your past job but also whether you can take on any other type of work. Your work history will be used to confirm whether you are still able to do your previous role or if your skills and experience can be applied to less demanding jobs. Additionally, this information helps determine if you have earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits and what your monthly benefit amount will be.
