Medical Eligibility for Disability Benefits
Talk to a Disability Lawyer
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area
To qualify for disability benefits (either SSDI or SSI), you must prove you have a severe, medically determinable impairment that limits your functioning to such an extent that you aren't able to work. Disablity Determination Services (DDS, a state agency that evaluates disability claims for the SSA) analyzes each disability claim with a five-step evaluation process.
The Basics of Medical Eligibility for Disability Benefits
There are several ways you can prove your illness or condition qualifies as a disability.
The most common medical conditions for which people apply for Social Security disability benefits.
Some applicants win disability even after their medical condition improves.
Social Security and SSI only pay disability claims that are expected to last 12 months.
An illness or disease does not need to be listed in Social Security's blue book to qualify for disability benefits.
Ways to Get Approved for Disability Benefits
Articles on the quickest way to get disability benefits -- for the most severe conditions only.
Articles on how the SSA will decide if you're too disabled to work because of your reduced ability (if you don't qualify under a listed impairment).
Articles on the medical-vocational rules (called the "grid"), which can be helpful in getting disability for those over 55.
Articles on when various medical ailments qualify for disability benefits, including heart and back problems.
Factors That Can Affect Disability Eligibility
Questions about your credibility will lead to a denial for Social Security disability.
If you don't go to a doctor for your disability or follow the doctor's treatment orders, you can jeopardize your credibility.
If you have multiple impairments or disabilities, Social Security will consider their combined effects when processing your disability application.
Social Security will consider your reports of pain as long as there is some evidence of a physical or mental impairment.
If you refuse to have surgery to fix your medical problem, you might not be able to get Social Security disability benefits.
Tips on Medical Eligibility From Disability Lawyers
Here are some tips on getting your disability claim approved, from disability lawyers who have helped many claimants get benefits.
Don't waste your time on these issues.
Don't be fooled by these common pitfalls.
Social Security only cares if you can work full-time or not. There is no partial disability.
There are many theories of disability that lawyers use to argue your case.
Resources
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Form
Here's an RFC form for physical conditions, created by a former SSA disability claims examiner.
Here's an RFC form for physical conditions, created by a former SSA disability claims examiner.
Mental RFC Form
Here's an RFC form for a psychiatric, cognitive or emotional condition, created by a disability lawyer.
Here's an RFC form for a psychiatric, cognitive or emotional condition, created by a disability lawyer.
RFC for Fibromyalgia
Here's a medical assessment form for fibromyalgia, created b a Social Security disability lawyer.
Here's a medical assessment form for fibromyalgia, created b a Social Security disability lawyer.
Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting & Keeping Your Benefits
Details on what an RFC should include for over 200 different illnesses, injuries, and medical conditions, written by a former chief medical consultant for the SSA.
Details on what an RFC should include for over 200 different illnesses, injuries, and medical conditions, written by a former chief medical consultant for the SSA.