Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits
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Social Security uses both medical disability criteria and non-medical criteria to determine whether you qualify for Social Security disability (SSDI, the program based on work credits) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI, the low-income program). First, you must be able to prove that you are medically disabled. Second, you must have either earned enough work credits to be considered "insured" under the SSDI program or your income and assets must be low enough to qualify for the SSI program.
Medical Eligibility Requirements
Proving your medical condition is a disability is generally the hardest part of a Social Security disability claim.
Here are the requirements to be considered medically disabled.
The SSA's disability listing book lists severe impairments that automatically qualify for disability benefits.
The SSA has a sequential evaluation process to determine if your medical condition is disabling.
Non-Medical Requirements
If you don't meet the financial requirements for SSDI or SSI, you'll receive a "technical denial" of your claim.
Your chances depend on your age, how seriously your disability limits you, and whether you have a lawyer.
Editorial Information
The content on this site is managed by Beth Laurence. Beth manages a group of lawyers and disability advocates that offer free information for people trying to win disability benefits through Social Security.