Most of us don’t think about being disabled as a young adult, before having enough work history to technically qualify for disability payments.
Social Security has a “Special Insured Status-Disabled” status for those taken out of the work force
before Age 31. What Is Special Insured Status?
“Special insured status” allows an option to the “20 credits in 40 quarters” provision (This 20/40 rule means you worked 20 out of the last 40 quarters, or five of the last ten years). Individuals disabled before age 31 can still qualify for disability insurance benefits or establish a period of disability.
When Do You Have Special Insured Status?
You meet the special insured status requirements if, in the quarter your disability is determined to have begun or in a later quarter, you:
-Have not yet turned 31;
-Are fully insured as explained in § 203; and
-Have credits in at least one-half of the calendar quarters during the period beginning with the quarter after the quarter you turned 21, ending with the quarter that you became disabled.
-The credits must be earned in this period. If the number of elapsing calendar quarters is an odd number, the next lower even number is used.
What Is The Minimum Number Of Credits You Need For Special Insured Status?
You need at least six credits in order to have special insured status. If you became disabled before the quarter you turned 24, you must have six credits in the 12-quarter period ending with the quarter your disability began. In this case, the quarters counted will go back before the quarter in which you turned age 21.
Can You Obtain Special Insured Status If You Become Disabled Again At Age 31 Or Older?
If you are age 31 or older and become disabled again, you may obtain special insured status if you meet the following conditions:
You had a previous period of disability established before you turned 31;
You met and currently meet the special insured requirements (as set out above);
You do not meet the 20/40 rule in the quarter your current period of disability begins;
You are fully insured
Here’s the SSA policy book link: http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300301140