Step 1: Understand Work Credits

Work credits are essential for SSDI eligibility in Minnesota:

• Credits are earned by paying Social Security taxes through employment.
• You can earn up to 4 credits per year, depending on your income.
• Sufficient credits must be accumulated before the disability began.

Step 2: Meet Age-Related Requirements

The number of credits required depends on your age when you become disabled:

• Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
• Most adults need around 20 credits earned over the last 10 years.
• Older workers might need up to 40 credits in their lifetime.

Step 3: Confirm Work History Timeline

Your recent work history affects eligibility:

• Work credits must be recent enough, generally within 10 years before disability.
• Long gaps without enough recent work can disqualify you.
• Special rules may apply if you are younger than 24.

Step 4: Verify Disability Start Date

The SSDI application depends on your disability onset date:

• Work credits must be earned before your disability begins.
• This date determines which work credits count towards qualification.
• Delayed filings can affect your eligibility review.

Common Issues to Avoid

Watch out for these common challenges:

• Insufficient work credits due to limited employment or breaks in work.
• Incorrect calculation of your social security earnings record.
• Not reporting all employment or earnings properly.
• Age-related misunderstandings about credit requirements.