EXPLAIN "QUARTERS OF COVERAGE" TO ME PLEASE

A Quarter of Coverage is the basic unit for determining whether a worker is insured for disability under the Social Security Act. Not every American is covered by Social Security disability, only workers who have paid enough into the system, usually through payroll deductions.

In 2022, worker may earn 1 quarter of coverage for any calendar quarter in which qualifying wages of at least $1,510 were paid.  This number will increase slightly for 2023.

So, if an individual earned at least $1,510 in any calendar quarter in 2022, he or she is given credit for 1 Quarter of Coverage (QC).  If the worker earned at least $1,510 in all 4 calendar quarters of 2022, he/she would earn 4 Quarters of Coverage for the year.

Most workers require 20 quarters of coverage to be insured for Social Security disability purposes.  These quarters also must fall into a certain time period.  Generally, you need 20 quarters of coverage out of the last 10 years.  (Older quarters of coverage "fall off" after a period of time).

The usual rule for Quarters of Coverage is: You must have worked at least 5 years out of the most recent 10-year period.  There are exceptions for very young workers, who have different rules.

What does it mean if you don't have enough Quarters of Coverage and are not insured for SSDI?  It means that you cannot file a new claim for disability because you are not an insured person.  It would be like trying to file a claim for a car accident with an insurance company that never issued you a policy.  Or filing a claim with an insurance company whose policy expired prior to the date of the accident. Note:  If you can prove that your disability began before your Date Last Insured, you may still recover a benefit.

How can you know for sure whether you are insured by Social Security for a disability?  Simply call your local Social Security office and ask two questions:

Question 1:  When is my Date Last Insured (DLI) for Title 2?

Question 2:  What is my PIA?

The Date Last Insured (DLI) is the expiration date for your Social Security disability insurance coverage or SSDI.  For example, if your DLI is 12/31/20, you must prove that you were disabled prior to 12/31/20 to be covered.

The PIA stands for Primary Insurance Amount.  This is the approximate amount of your monthly disability benefit if you should become disabled today.

Please note:  The DLI refers to the last date you may file a NEW disability claim.  It has nothing to do with benefits you are already receiving.  Those benefits will continue until you become able to return to work or reach full retirement age.  Upon reaching full retirement age, the benefit will convert from disability payments to retirement payments.  The amount will not change and you won't notice any difference.

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THE FORSYTHE FIRM
Social Security Counselors
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Directly Across from Bridge Street
Huntsville, AL 35806

Call Us:  (256) 799-0297 or (256) 503-8151

Email Us:  forsythefirm@gmail.com

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