There is no minimum age as long as you meet the very strict Social Security definition of disability. But to qualify for disability benefits you must have worked long and recently enough under Social Security to earn the required number of work credits.
You can earn up to a maximum of four work credits each year. The amount of earnings required for a credit increases each year as general wage levels rise. The number of work credits you need for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. The rules for how much work you need to qualify for disability benefits are as follows:
Born after 1929, Become Disabled At Age |
Number of Credits You Need |
---|---|
31 through 42
|
20
|
44
|
22
|
46
|
24
|
48
|
26
|
50
|
28
|
52
|
30
|
54
|
32
|
56
|
34
|
58
|
36
|
60
|
38
|
62 or older
|
40
|
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