Getting More Work Credits While on SSI

[JH900]

I'll try to make this simple, PLEASE bear with me.
I was approved for SSI recently. They said my onset date was December 2010. All the paperwork I have goes back to 2009 and some as early as 1994!
My work credits are only 38. Been to a few attorneys and they give conflicting information.
CAN I earn the remaining 2 credits and qualify for SSDI? I have not appealed yet but have another 2 weeks to do that.
They said my onset date was a lot later then when my paperwork goes back to. I would have qualified for the credits based on my work record just 3 years ago.

Pls help me figure this stuff out!

[Mr. Knowitall]

Information on working while disabled is available here. I cannot promise you how your return to work will affect a subsequent application for SSDI.

[Janke]

Not a simple answer, sorry. Depends on what years your current credits are for. You need a certain minimum number of lifetime credits and 20 of them have to be in the 10 year period before your date of onset, so if most of your 38 credits were earned before 2005, getting those two additional credits would not be sufficient. Returning to work may or may not show that you can be gainfully employed. There are developmentally disabled adults, however, that work in sheltered workshops after they become entitled to SSI and do earn sufficient credits. But the work they do is not representative of substantial gainful activity.

If they have the time or inclination, your local office could run some scenerios to determine when you need the credits and how many you need. There is a program that will help with that, but it is not the job of SSA to coach you in order to get you qualified for SSDI.

I think you should file an appeal no matter what and argue that you became disabled before your date last insured. It will bother you forever if you don't attempt an appeal.

But having a diagnosis of a condition in 1994 is not proof that you were unable to work - you apparently did work after your diagnosis.

[JH900]

You need a certain minimum number of lifetime credits and 20 of them have to be in the 10 year period before your date of onset, ...

You used the term lifetime credits. Does that mean that if I didn't earn 40 yet I can make that up later? This seems to be the linchpin that would prevent SSDI but allow SSI.

[Janke]

Two requirements: lifetime credits and recent credits.

[JH900]

Two requirements: lifetime credits and recent credits.

I only have 38 credits though. So am I screwed? Can i make them up (earn 2 more credits)?