How to Receive Disability Payments

Social Security Disability (SSD) payments are a special benefit for people who have worked in the years leading up to their disability, but are no longer able to work. Those who did not work enough before they became disabled cannot receive SSD.

Work Credits

Work credits for SSD are earned each year that a person works. In 2011, workers received one work credit for each $1,120 they made in earned income. Workers can only earn up to four credits per year, no matter how much money they actually make. Workers under 24 years of age need to have earned six credits within the previous three years before their disability began. Workers between 24 and 31 need varying credits depending on how old they were when they became disabled. Essentially, they need to have worked half of the time from the time they turned 21 until the time they were disabled. Workers 31 and older need to have between 20 and 40 credits depending on their age. At least 20 of the credits need to have been earned within the previous 10 years before their disability began.

What is "Gainful Employment"?

Gainful employment is defined by the SSA as a certain amount of money an individual can make each month. Earnings below this line are considered non-gainful employment and earnings above this line are considered gainful employment. As of August 2011, gainful employment was defined as $1,000 in earned income per month.

Household Income Qualifications

With SSD, the only income that matters to the SSA is the disabled individual's income. This means that a person wanting to receive SSD can live with others who make a substantial income and still receive the SSD they are entitled to.