What must Emily be in order to qualify for Social Security disability income benefits?

To qualify for Social Security disability income benefits, an individual must be fully insured. This status is achieved when a person has worked a sufficient number of years and has earned enough credits through their employment. Specifically, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that a worker must generally have worked in jobs covered by Social Security for at least 5 of the last 10 years leading up to the disability.

Being fully insured means that the individual has met the criteria set by the SSA and is eligible for the highest level of benefits, including disability benefits. This requirement is critical because it ensures that benefits are provided to individuals who have contributed adequately to the Social Security system through their earnings over a significant period.

Other statuses such as partially insured or temporarily insured do not meet the requirements for disability income. Partially insured individuals may have some work credits but do not have enough to fully qualify for disability benefits. Temporarily insured is not a recognized status under Social Security guidelines and does not pertain to eligibility for benefits. Therefore, being fully insured is essential for Emily in order to qualify for Social Security disability income benefits.