Arizona Social Security Disability Work Requirements

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that offers financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. Even though SSDI follows national guidelines, each state has specific factors that could affect eligibility. In Arizona, one of the main requirements for SSDI benefits is proving that you have adequate work history. This is decided by the number of work credits, which indicate how long you have worked and how recently you have been employed. Understanding Arizona social security disability work requirements can help applicants decide if they are eligible for benefits and what steps they may have to take.

Understanding Work Credits in Arizona

What Are Work Credits?

Work credits are used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to make a decision about an individual's eligibility for SSDI benefits. They are earned based on your income from work that is covered by Social Security taxes. In Arizona, as with other states, workers may earn up to 4 work credits annually. In 2025, to earn one work credit, a person must have earned at least $1,730 in wages or income received from self-employment. As soon as an individual has earned $6,920 in one year, they will have received the maximum of four credits for that year.

How Work Credits Are Calculated

Work credits are calculated by using the total yearly wages or self-employment income of the applicant. The SSA updates the amount required to earn a credit each year to reflect alterations in average earnings. The dollar amount required to earn a credit changes each year, but the maximum credits a person may earn yearly remains at four.

The Role of Work Credits in Disability Benefits

Work credits provide the proof that an applicant has contributed to the Social Security system through employment. As SSDI is an insurance program funded by payroll taxes, only those who have worked and paid into Social Security for long enough may qualify to receive benefits. The number of work credits required depends on the age of the applicant and when they became disabled.

How Many Work Credits Do You Need in Arizona?

Work Credit Requirements by Age

The number of work credits required to qualify for SSDI in Arizona depends on the applicant’s age at the time of the diagnosis of a medical condition that results in a disability.

  • To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you usually need 40 work credits, with 20 of those earned within the 10 years leading up to the onset of your disability, although younger workers may still qualify with fewer credits.
  • Any individual who is aged 24 to 31 may be able to qualify with fewer credits but must have worked for at least 50 percent of the time between age 21 and when they became disabled.
  • Applicants below the age of 24 may qualify with as few as six credits which have been earned in the three years before commencement of their disability.

Why the Number of Work Credits Varies by Age

SSDI work requirements are based on the view that an individual should have a work history which is proportionate to their age. An older applicant has had more time to work and is expected to have accumulated more work credits, but a younger applicant may qualify with fewer credits because they have not had so much time to work.

Blind Workers

Arizona does follow the federal rule that permits blind individuals to qualify for SSDI with fewer work credits. Unlike any other disability applicant, a blind worker is not subject to the recent work test and may qualify with fewer credits earned at any stage throughout their working life.

Recent Work Test & Duration of Work Test

The SSA applies two tests when determining if an applicant has worked enough to be able to qualify for SSDI.

  1. The recent work test evaluates if an applicant has worked an adequate amount of time in the years leading up to their disability. For example, an individual over the age of 31 needs to have worked for at least 5 out of the last 10 years before becoming disabled.
  2. The duration of work test assesses the total number of years an individual has worked. The longer a person has worked throughout their life, the higher the chance they will meet this requirement.

What If You Don’t Meet the Work Requirements in Arizona?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

For anyone residing in Arizona who does not have sufficient work credits to enable them to qualify for SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) could be an option. Unlike SSDI, SSI does not request a work history and is based on financial need only. An individual who has a limited income and resources and who has been classified as disabled, blind, or over the age of 65 may qualify for SSI benefits.

Exceptions and Appeals

If an applicant falls short of the work requirement, they may still be able to appeal a denial. In some cases, mistakes in work records or specific circumstances, like military service, may allow for an exception. An Arizona resident who believes their work credits were not calculated correctly should contact the SSA or seek legal assistance to lodge an appeal.

How to Check Your Work Credits

An Arizona resident can check his or her Social Security work credits using several methods:

  • Logging in to or creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov;
  •  Calling the Social Security Administration on 1-800-772-1213.
  • Visiting a local Social Security office in Arizona.

Additional Information in Arizona

SSDI is a federal program, and Arizona has additional resources for any individual with a disability who requires assistance. These include the following.

  • The Arizona Disability Determination Services (DDS) assesses disability claims to determine eligibility for SSDI and SSI.
  • The Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provides job training, vocational rehabilitation, and employment support for individuals with disabilities who wish to return to work.
  • Arizona’s Ticket to Work Program offers services to SSDI recipients who are keen to re-enter the workforce without losing their benefits immediately.

Additional Resources

For further information on SSDI work requirements and disability benefits in Arizona, consider these resources:

Find Out If I Qualify for Benefits!