Quarters of Coverage
In order to qualify for Social Security disability, a Claimant must have a certain amount of “quarters of coverage.” A quarter of coverage is the basic unit for determining whether a worker is insured under the Social Security program. The amount of earnings needed for a quarter of coverage changes automatically each year with the changes in the national average wage index. An individual can earn up to 4 quarters of coverage in a calendar year.
Generally, in order for an individual to qualify for Social Security disability, the individual must have 20 quarters of coverage in the 40-quarter period. However, if an individual became disabled before the age of 31, an individual must have at least one-half of the quarters during the period ending with that quarter and beginning with the quarter after the quarter in which he became 21. A minimum of 6 quarters of coverage is required.
If an individual became disabled before the age of 24, an alternative rule applies. He or she must simply have 6 quarters of coverage in the 12-quarter period ending with the quarter in which disability began. There is no requirement that the quarters of coverage be earned after attaining the age of 21.
For more information on quarters of coverage and your potential eligibility for Security disability benefits, contact an experienced Social Security disability attorney at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. today at 251-343-1111 for a free case evaluation. Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. represents Social Security disability claimants in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana at all levels of the disability process from initial application to appeals to Federal Court.
