Although there is no minimum age to get Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, you must meet two work tests to receive SSD benefits. You must meet a "recent work test" and "duration of work test." The younger you are, the less work you need to meet the work requirements.

 

If your disability began in the calendar quarter you turned age 24 or even earlier, all you need is one and a half years of work during the three-year period ending with the calendar quarter you became disabled. You meet both the "recent work test" and "duration of work" test if you have one and a half years of work.

 

If your disability began between the calendar quarter after you turned age 24 and before the calendar quarter you turned age 31, you meet the "recent work test;" if you worked one half of the time beginning with the calendar quarter after you turned 21 and ending with the calendar

quarter you became disabled. You meet both the "recent work test" and "duration work" test, if you worked one-half of the time from age 21 through the calendar quarter you became disabled.

 

 

If your disability began in the calendar quarter you turned age 31 or later, you meet the "recent work test" if you have worked five years out of a 10-year period ending with the calendar quarter your disability began. The number of years you need to meet the "duration of work" requirement depends on your age. For example, if your disability begins at age 34, you need 3 years of work; at age 42, you need 5 years of work; at age 50, you need seven years of work; and at age 60, you need nine and a half years of work. This work does not have to fall within a certain period.

 

If you do not meet the work requirement for SSD benefits, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. To receive SSI payments you must have limited income and limited resources.