Medical Eligibility for Disability Benefits

How Do You Qualify Medically for Social Security Disability or SSI?

There are several ways you can prove your illness or condition qualifies as a disability.

Social Security Disability: List of Impairments, Medical Conditions, and Problems

Here are the most common medical impairments and conditions for which claimants seek Social Security disability benefits.

Do You Have to Be Permanently Disabled to Get Social Security Disability?

Some applicants win disability even after their medical condition improves.

How Long Do You Have to Be Disabled Before You Can Get Disability Benefits?

You don't have to be disabled for any length of time before you apply for disability benefits, but there is a five-month waiting period to receive SSDI payments.

What Medical Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI?

An illness or disease does not need to be listed in Social Security's blue book to qualify for disability benefits.

Can Certain Medical Conditions Get You Approved for Disability Automatically?

There are conditions for which disability is automatically approved if you fulfill the listed requirements.

Your Credibility and Applying for Disability: How Social Security Assesses Your Complaints

An important factor in your claim for Social Security or SSI disability is your credibility. This is especially true if part of the reason you can’t work is due to pain or if you suffer from a mental illness, because these conditions are difficult to measure with objective medical tests (like blood tests or MRIs.)

How Failing to Seek or Comply With Your Doctor's Treatment Affects Your Disability Case

If you're filing for disability benefits and don't seek treatment for your impairment, your credibility may be jeopardized.

Multiple Disabilities: Social Security Must Consider Combined Effects

People applying for Social Security disability benefits often have more than one illness or injury that is causing their disability (making them unable to work a full-time job).

How Social Security Evaluates Chronic Pain in Disability Claims

Social Security must take your pain into account as long as you've been diagnosed with a physical or mental impairment, including fibromyalgia.

If I Refuse Surgery, Can I Be Denied Social Security Disability?

If you have a physical impairment that could be improved by surgery but you refuse to have the operation, you may be barred from receiving Social Security Disability benefits (both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)), based on that refusal.

Federal Court: ALJ Had No Reason to Doubt Claimant's Credibility

This article summarizes an actual claim for Social Security disability benefits that was denied by an administrative law judge (ALJ) and appealed to federal court. I’ll explain the history of the case and why the federal court disagreed with the ALJ’s denial of benefits.

Five Traps That May Disable Your SSDI Claim

The Social Security Disability Benefits process is frustrating for most people.   You have to fill out numerous forms, talk to numerous people about your disability...

Residual Functional Capacity Forms: Download an RFC Form

An RFC form completed by your doctor can greatly improve your chances of winning Social Security disability benefits.

Mental Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Assessment Form

Here is a mental RFC form for your doctor to fill out (a mental medical source statement).

RFC for Fibromyalgia

Here's a medical assessment form for fibromyalgia that you can give to your doctor.

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.