Your eligibility for some types of Social Security benefits is based on your work record. When you work and pay into Social Security, you earn credits toward Social Security benefits. The length of time that you need to work to earn enough credits depends on if you are seeking benefits based on disability or retirement and your age at the time of disability or retirement.

You may be eligible for Social Security benefits if you are:

• A retired or a disabled worker who paid into Social Security,
• The current spouse of a worker receiving benefits if you meet certain other requirements,
• A former spouse of a worker even if the worker is not retired, both are at least 62 years old, the marriage lasted at least 10 years, they were divorced at least 2 years, and the former spouse is unmarried. Note: a remarriage could affect the spouse's entitlement to benefits,
• A deceased worker's widow or widower who is at least 60 years old or, if disabled, at least 50 years old,
• The surviving divorced spouse of a deceased worker, if you meet certain other requirements,
• The dependent child of a worker receiving benefits,
• The surviving dependent child of a deceased worker,
• The surviving dependent parent of a deceased worker, if the parent is at least 62 years old, or
• A low-income person who has a disability, is blind, or is aged 65 or older. 

Social Security Retirement Benefits 

The number of credits you need to get Social Security retirement benefits depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need a total of 40 credits or 10 years of work to qualify. You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits when you reach age 62. But, your monthly benefits will be less than if you reach your full retirement age. Your full retirement age also varies based on when you were born. SSA will consider you fully retired if you were born:

• Between 1943--1954 your full retirement age is 66
• In 1955 your full retirement age is 66 and 2 months
• In 1956 your full retirement age is 66 and 4 months
• In 1957 your full retirement age is 66 and 6 months
• In 1958 your full retirement age is 66 and 8 months
• In 1959 your full retirement age is 66 and 10 months
• In 1960 and later your full retirement age is 67

[no-lexicon]Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)[/no-lexicon] Benefits

Usually, you need a total of 40 credits or 10 years of work to qualify for SSDI. 20 quarters must be within the 10 years before your disability began. However, workers under the age of 62 may qualify with fewer credits. 

You can get SSDI if you are unable to work because of a physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months or will result in death. Medical evidence documenting your condition is required. The SSA uses a 5 step process in deciding whether you have a disability:

• Step 1: Are you working and earning more than $1,550 per month? If yes, then SSA considers you not disabled. If no, go to Step 2.
• Step 2: Do you have a medical condition that significantly limits your physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities? If yes, go to Step 3.
• Step 3: Is your medical condition on SSA's "Listing of Impairments" for Adults? If yes, then SSA considers you disabled. You may also be considered disabled if your condition is similar to and as severe as an impairment that is on the list. If no, go to Step 4.
• Step 4: Are you physically and mentally able to return to a job that you have held within the past 15 years? If yes, then SSA considers you not disabled. If no, go to Step 5
• Step 5: Do your age, education, and work experience allow you to perform other types of work despite your limitations? If no, then SSA considers you disabled.

The SSDI application and appeals process may take many months or even years to be approved for benefits. It's best to apply for SSDI as soon as possible. SSA calculates the starting date for paying you benefits based on the date your disability began and the date you applied. This includes possible back benefits from the time you waited for approval. If you are eligible for SSDI  and SSI, you should apply for both, as SSDI does not pay benefits until 6 months after your disability began. SSI pays benefits back to one month after you applied as long as you were already disabled then.