If you’re looking to receive Social Security Disability Benefits from the federal government, there are two important work-related questions to ask—Have I worked long enough to qualify? Have I worked recent enough to qualify?
The Social Security Administration answers these questions by determining the number of Social Security credits a person has.
Credits, legally termed a Quarter of Coverage (QC), are basic units of measurement that determine whether a worker is insured under the Social Security program.
A credit is a building block or gauge of accumulated work that allows the Administration to determine if a person has put in enough time to receive the disability benefits requested.
Credits are built upon a person’s total yearly wages or self-employment income; so one credit is given when a certain amount of money is earned—in 2015, that earning amount is $1,220.
For example, one credit is given to Mike for every $1,220 in wages that Mike earns, up to four credits per year.
Social Security will only use earnings on which Social Security taxes are paid to determine credits. Investments or interest on savings do not count toward credits.