"INSURED STATUS" WITH SOCIAL SECURITY

Claimants are required to have "insured status" before they can file an SSDI claim for Social Security disability benefits.  

What does this mean?

It simply means that the claimant has worked enough, and has worked recently enough, to be insured by Social Security.

A worker can earn up to 4 calendar quarters of coverage per year.  January - March counts as one quarter, etc.  To earn one quarter of coverage, a worker must earn at least $1,360 in the quarter.

So, a worker who only works part time can earn 4 quarters of coverage per year, as long as he or she earns a minimum of $1,360 in each quarter.

How many quarters of coverage are required for disability coverage?  It depends on the claimant's age, but most adult claimants need to have at least 20 quarters of coverage out of a possible 40 quarters.

Here's an easier way to look at it:  You need to have worked at least 5 years out of the past 10 year period.  The rule for very young workers is different.  (And you only earn a quarter of coverage for each quarter in which you earned at least $1,360).

An individual may have insured status at some point but lose it if they stop working for a long period of time.  This causes problems for individuals who stop working and wait a few years before applying for Social Security disability benefits.  

Each individual's Social Security coverage has a Date Last Insured (DLI).  This is the date on which the individual stops being insured for NEW disability claims.  For example, if your DLI is 12/31/19, you are not insured for any new disability which begins after that date.

How to Find Out When Your DLI is

Finding out when your Date Last Insured is (or was) is easy.  Simply call the local Social Security office and ask.  

Knowing your DLI is important before filing a new SSDI claim.