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HOW TO GET QUARTERS OF COVERAGE FOR SSD BENEFITS

Name: Cannon Disability Law
Item: Cannon Disability Law
Rating: 5
Author: Mary Gathers

WHAT ARE QUARTERS OF COVERAGE FOR SSD BENEFITS?

The Social Security Disability system is an insurance program. You pay for your disability insurance benefits by working and paying your taxes. To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must have earned enough quarters of coverage—also called work credits—through jobs where you paid Social Security taxes.

Quarters of coverage are a way the Social Security Administration (SSA) measures your work history. You earn them by working and paying into Social Security through payroll taxes or self employment taxes. Despite the name, quarters aren’t tied to calendar quarters—you can earn credits at any time during the year. However, you can only earn four credits per year.

Each year the SSA sets a minimum amount of earnings required to earn one quarter of coverage. In 2026, to earn 4 quarters of coverage you have to earn at least $7560 during the year. Once you earn this amount, whether in one month or the whole year, then you have 4 quarters of coverage. Each credit requires earning $1,890. In 2025, a credit was earned after $1810. The reason quarters of coverage are important is you must have enough of them to qualify for SSDI benefits.

HOW MANY QUARTERS OF COVERAGE DO YOU NEED?

In order to file an application for SSDI benefits, generally, you need to have worked for at least 5 years out of the last 10 years. Another way to put this is you need 20 quarters of coverage out of the last 40 quarters. You earn quarters of coverage by:

Working for an employer who withholds Social Security taxes from your check, or
Being self-employed and paying self employment taxes

Once again, you don’t need to work full time or for a full year to earn credit. Earning enough wages (described above) and paying taxes on your earnings is what matters. The one thing that changes the number of quarters you need is your age, as the number of quarters of coverage required for SSDI benefits depends on your age when you become disabled:

Under age 24: You may qualify with fewer credits based on work earned in the years just before your disability.
Ages 24–30: You generally need credits for about half the time between age 21 and the start of your disability.
Age 31 and older: Most people need at least 20 credits earned in the 10 years before becoming disabled.

Because the rules vary by age and situation, the exact requirement differs from person to person. But in general, if you are over 31 years old, then you will need 20 quarters of coverage out of the last 40 quarters, prior to becoming disabled.

CHECK YOUR WORK CREDITS TO KNOW YOUR QUARTERS OF COVERAGE

You can see how many quarters of coverage you’ve earned by creating a My SSA account. It is easy to create the account on Social Security’s website. This account provides a record of your earnings and estimated benefits. If you are worried about what the MySSA account is, the SSA has a video to explain it. We know that not everyone understands how to use a computer. If you need help, then contact us. We can help you file your application. Additionally, we can appeal a denial from the SSA. You only have 60 days to appeal a denial. Therefore, make sure you do it in the 60 day time frame or you will lose benefits.

If you don’t meet the quarters of coverage requirement for SSDI benefits, then all is not lost. You may still be able to file an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. SSI benefits are based on financial need rather than your work history. Continue reading for additional information about SSI benefits.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SSDI AND SSI BENEFITS?

There are two types of Social Security benefits. The first type is Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI). This benefit requires you to have years of working a job and paying your taxes. The second type of benefit is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This benefit is an addition to SSD benefits. Also, it is for people who have never worked or who have earned low wages.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):

SSDI benefits are for those who can no longer work at any job due to a medical condition. The amount of money you will receive from SSDI benefits is based on the taxes you paid while working. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have earned enough “work credits.” A work credit is an amount of taxable income. It is also called a quarter of coverage for the SSDI benefits. You can earn up to 4 work credits per year. The amount of work credits you need depends on how old you are when you apply. If you don’t have enough work credits at the time you apply, then you can only file for SSI benefits.

YOU CAN WORK PART TIME OR LESS AND STILL GET QUARTERS OF COVERAGE FOR SSDI BENEFITS

Additionally, if you have not earned enough quarters of coverage, then it is a good idea to try to work. Remember, to get a quarter of coverage, you do not have to work full-time for 3 months or one quarter. Instead, you only need to earn $1,890 in 2026 to get one quarter of coverage. Many people call us and they do not qualify to file an application for SSDI benefits because they do not have enough quarters of coverage. Some of them are only missing one or two quarters. You could find a part time job and earn $1890 and that will give you one quarter of coverage. If you are close to being insured for SSDI benefits, then you should try to work long enough to earn $1890 to make up for the quarters of coverage you do not have.

For example, if you can find a job that pays $15 an hour, you would only need to work 126 hours to earn $1890. That is less than 4 weeks of full time work and less than 8 weeks of part time work. Even if you worked 11 hours a week at $15 an hour, you would obtain one quarter of coverage in 3 months.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI):

SSI is a needs based benefit and does not require you to have quarters of coverage. It is for people with little to no income, such as children and the elderly. Anyone who makes more than a certain amount of money per month cannot receive SSI benefits. The SSA counts the income of those in your house, not just your income and assets. If you have a spouse who earns more than $5000 a month, for example, then that income prevents you from getting SSI benefits. You cannot qualify for SSI benefits, if you do not meet the income and asset rules for SSI.

If you are not able to work due to a medical condition, then you need to replace your income. You also need health insurance. You can apply for SSDI and SSI benefits on Social Security’s website. If you win your case, then you will receive monthly SSDI benefits and Medicare benefits. Medicare benefits are health insurance benefits. You can learn about Medicare benefits. Or, you may receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI comes with Medicaid. Medicaid benefits are state benefits. You can find out information about Medicaid benefits.

HOW TO FILE YOUR APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS

The SSA has multiple ways for people to file an application for SSD benefits. If you cannot work for more than 12 months due to a severe medical condition, then you should apply for benefits.

If you need help filing an application for SSD benefits, then you should contact our law firm. Our attorneys and staff have over 30 years of legal experience helping people win benefits. We have won over $100 million on ongoing and past due benefits for our clients. We offer a free review of your case. Also, there is no attorney fee unless we win your benefits.

For your part, all you need to do is call. Also, you will need to trust us. Because you need an attorney with experience to help you through the long and frustrating process of winning benefits. Make sure to hire the legal team with the most experience and the best track record. Hire us.

We have offices in Salt Lake City, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada. We have information about filing for benefits in Utah. Likewise, we have the information you need to file for Nevada SSDI benefits.

HOW OUR SSD LAW FIRM CAN HELP

Applying for SSDI benefits or SSI benefits can be complicated. Many initial claims are denied because the medical evidence does not clearly show how the condition limits work abilities. Some people apply for benefits and receive a technical denial, because they don’t have enough quarters of coverage. A disability lawyer can help gather the right type of evidence, communicate with your doctors, and prepare statements that explain your limitations in detail. This assistance can be especially important when symptoms change or when treatment causes additional medical conditions.

During the appeal and hearing stage of the five step disability review process, your attorney plays an even more important role. They can question hearing experts, highlight key parts of your medical record, and explain how your symptoms meet or equal a listing. They can also argue how your age, education, and work history affect your ability to adjust to other work. For many people, these arguments make the difference between a denial and an approval.

Because we are only paid if you win benefits, there are no upfront fees. The attorney receives payment only if you win your case. If you are struggling to work due to a disability, then contact the best SSD law firm. We can help you throughout the complex Social Security process. Hiring us improves your chances of getting the financial support you need.

WE OFFER A FREE REVIEW OF YOUR BENEFITS

We offer a free review of your case. Therefore, there is no reason not to call us. An SSD lawyer with experience fighting the SSA will know how to prove your case. If you need help filing for SSD benefits, then call our law firm. We can help you file an application on the Social Security website. We can also explain the concept of quarters of coverage and see if you qualify for SSDI benefits.

When you call us explain your situation. At that point, we will look at the merits of your case. Next, we let you know if you have a chance to win SSD benefits. We do not charge you for our review of your case. Finally, we have won over $100 million in SSD benefits for our clients. Therefore, you should hire us to be your Social Security legal team.

We help clients win benefits in many states. Find out how to apply in your state:

Understanding how quarters of coverage work is the first step in finding out if you are eligible to apply for SSDI benefits. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, then give us a call and we can figure it out.

No matter where you live, we want to be your legal team. Hire the best Social Security legal team with no money down. Also, there is no attorney fee unless we win your benefits. Contact us today.We know that not being able to work and running through your savings is hard to take. Therefore, we will due our best to win your benefits as quickly as possible.