Ask Larry

recieving SSDI / since 2015 [mental]
health. i've No clue as to how i managed the apparently 40 credits needed. Clearly everyones credit value is unique to their work history.
My question (finally) is__at $540 per month / what's the Minimum dollar amnt permitted by law 4 full disabled?
thanx

Hi. There is no guaranteed minimum Social Security disability benefit rate, nor do you necessarily need 40 credits (QC) to qualify for SSDI. A person can potentially qualify for SSDI benefits with as few as 6 QCs if they become disabled at a young age.

SSDI benefit rates are calculated based on an average of a person's indexed earnings in as few as 2 years or as many as 35 years depending on the person's age at the time of their disability onset. The higher the average, the higher the benefit rate. For example, a person who qualifies for SSDI benefits with the minimal amount of earnings required for insured status could be eligible for a monthly benefit rate of less than $160.

Best, Jerry