If you live in New Jersey and you are disabled and can’t work now, but you worked for many years before you were disabled you can apply for SSDI in New Jersey. SSDI can help you pay for housing, utilities, and other necessities while you can’t work.
Before your application for SSDI is approved, the SSA will look at your medical records and your work history. Your work history and the work credits you’ve earned are an important part of your application. You must show that you meet the SSA’s work requirements before you can be approved for SSDI in New Jersey.
Understanding Work Credits in New Jersey
Work credits are awarded based on the amount of money that you make and the number of years that you’ve been working. You can earn up to 4 work credits every year that you’re working.
What are Work Credits?
When you were working some money was deducted from every paycheck. Some of that money was paid into Social Security on your behalf.
Workers pay into the Social Security system through this tax on their paycheck so that if they become disabled they can apply for disability benefits from the SSA.
When you apply for SSDI you will need to prove that you have earned a set number of work credits that are based on your age and how long you have worked. If you haven’t earned enough work credits or worked for long enough your application may be denied.
How Work Credits Are Calculated
The Social Security Administration has created a simple formula to determine how many work credits you can earn and how many years you need to work before you are eligible for SSDI in New Jersey.
You earn one work credit for every $1,640 you earn, up to a maximum of four credits per year. This means if you earn at least $6,560 in a year, you’ll earn all four credits for that year.
In most cases you need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before your disability, to be considered eligible for SSDI.
The Role of Work Credits in Disability Benefits
Work credits are important because the SSA wants to be sure that you did work when you were able to work. If you’ve never been able to work you should apply for SSI, not SSDI. The work credit requirement ensures that people who are applying for SSDI have worked in the past when they were able to work.
How Many Work Credits Do You Need in New Jersey?
If you’re a worker in New Jersey the number of work credits you need to qualify for SSDI depends on your age and whether or not you are blind.
Work Credit Requirements by Age
The number of work credits required for SSDI in New Jersey by age are:
- Ages 31 and Older: Generally, you need 40 work credits, with at least 20 earned in the last 10 years before your disability began.
- Ages 24 to 30: You need at least 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years. However, if you are closer to age 24, the number of required credits decreases:
- Age 24: 6 credits in the last 3 years.
- Age 25: 12 credits in the last 3 years.
- Age 26: 18 credits in the last 3 years.
- Age 27: 24 credits in the last 5 years.
- Age 28: 30 credits in the last 5 years.
- Age 29: 36 credits in the last 5 years.
- Ages 18 to 23: You need 6 work credits earned in the last 3 years.
The older you are, the more work credits you’re expected to have because you’ve had more time to work. When you’re young and you become disabled you’ve had less time to work so the required number of work credits is lower.
Blind Workers
If you are blind there is a lower number of work credits required to be eligible for SSDI.
Recent Work Test & Duration of Work Test
There are also two tests that you must go through that are required by the SSA. The Recent Work Test is primarily about how recently you have been employed. The Duration of Work Test ensures you have a sufficient work history over your lifetime
What If You Don’t Meet the Work Requirements in New Jersey?
If you are disabled and can’t work but don’t meet the SSA’s work requirements in New Jersey you may be able to qualify for another of the SSA’s benefits programs like SSI.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a benefit program for anyone in New Jersey who has never been able to work because of a disability. There is no work requirement for SSI, just medical and financial requirements.
Exceptions and Appeals
If you are close to meeting the work requirements but don’t have quite enough you can apply for SSDI in New Jersey. Then, when your application is denied, you can appeal and explain why you are short on credits.
How to Check Your Work Credits
If you want to check how many work credits you have or get more information about your eligibility for SSDI in New Jersey you can go to the SSA’s website and create an account or log into your existing account. Your work credit history and other eligibility details should be listed in your account. You can also visit any SSA office in New Jersey to get help or ask questions.
