Many people are confused by the concept of when their disability insurance…earned by working and paying into Social Security…ends. Here’s how it works, with the caveat that it’s technical enough you’d be best off by creating an account at ssa.gov and checking what SSA has calculated for you:
Social Security work credits are based on total yearly wages (or self-employment income).
You can earn up to four credits each year.
The amount needed for a credit changes from year to year. (In 2013, for example, you earn one credit for each $1,160 of wages or self-employment income. When you have earned $4,640, you’ve earned your four credits for the year.) The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled.
Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which you earned in the last 10 years, ending with the year you become disabled. Another way of thinking about it is that very roughly, if you last worked five years ago, you’re still covered but if you stopped working longer ago than that, you probably aren’t covered anymore.
Remember — just because you no longer have the coverage doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for SSD benefits. As long as your disability began while you were still covered, you can be eligible.
For more information you can visit the Official Social Security Website.