Originally Posted by Ironbutterfly

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Husband worked the past 24yrs at same employer up until summer of 2011 when he had his spinal fusion with rods, screws. He was off for 6mos for recovery, went back to work for a week when he was told by employer we have no job you can do, we are putting you on long term disability, etc.

He has not worked since summer of 2011- after spinal fusin, this past summer he had a total knee replacement with recovery tiime thru this fall. Sooo, I am assuming he should be ok with credits, etc right? Oh and he has worked non stop since he was 16....

Originally Posted by Janke

So he probably earned enough money in 2011 to get 4 credits (quarters of coverage) so I am estimating his date last insured is 5 years later or 12/31/2016. Either the DDS or an ALJ would have to find that he was disabled on or before that date. So date last insured does not seem to be an issue for him. Plenty of credits. It can be an issue for people who start and stop work, who stay out of the work force for reasons other than their condition, people who only work seasonally.