When people apply for Social Security Disability Insurance, they must meet the strict requirements set by the Social Security Administration. In addition to a duration of work test, which evaluates the amount of time the applicant has worked under Social Security, the administration performs a recent work test. This test determines the amount of work completed at the age the applicant became disabled. At McGowan & Cecil, LLC, we know that your work history can have a direct effect on your ability to receive SSDI benefits.
In order to be eligible for benefits, the applicant must meet certain rules under the recent work test. These include the following:
- Workers who are injured prior to becoming 24-years-old must work at least 1.5 years out of a three-year period.
- Workers who are injured between the ages of 24 and 31 must work half of the time between when they turned 21 and the time they became injured. For instance, if a worker was injured at age 28, they would need to work 3.5 years of the seven-year period.
- Workers who are injured after the age of 31 must work at least five years out of a 10-year period.
When people work at a job where they contribute to Social Security, they are working toward disability benefits if they should need them in the future. If you are able to work after you have been injured, it may decrease your ability to receive benefits. However, there are programs, such as the Ticket to Work Program, that help SSDI beneficiaries get back into the workforce without fear of losing their benefits entirely.
To learn more information on how your work history can affect your ability to receive SSDI benefits, visit our page on Social Security Disability.