Step 1: Understand Work Credit Requirements

SSDI eligibility in Oklahoma requires:

• Work credits earned by paying Social Security taxes during employment.
• The number of credits needed varies based on your age at disability onset.
• Generally, you need at least 20 credits on your record for SSDI eligibility.

Step 2: Age-Based Credit Rules

Depending on your age, consider:

• Younger applicants may need fewer credits to qualify.
• Older applicants typically must have worked longer to earn enough credits.
• Disability onset date is critical to determining required credits.

Step 3: Work Duration in Oklahoma

Time to qualify includes:

• About 5 years of work generally required within the last 10 years.
• Work must be covered under Social Security tax laws.
• Credits are based on earnings thresholds per year, not just time employed.

Step 4: Impact of Recent Work

Your most recent employment matters:

• Recent credits weigh heavily for qualifying before disability.
• If you have not worked recently, you may not have enough credits.
• SSA reviews your complete work history to confirm eligibility.

Common Challenges

Avoid these pitfalls:

• Not having enough recent work credits, leading to denied claims.
• Mistaking length of work for earning enough credits.
• Failing to document covered employment properly.