Frequently Asked Questions: Benefits & Qualifying

How Does The SSA Determine Disability?

The Social Security Administration uses a 5-step Sequential Evaluation Process to determine whether or not you are disabled and thus would qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

In short, the Social Security Administration will examine the evidence of your medical condition(s) to see whether or not those condition(s) – also known as “impairments” – will limit your ability to work. You will need to demonstrate that your condition is severe, and will keep you out of work for at least one year.

The Five Step Process includes demonstrating:

• that you are not currently engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity
• that you have a severe impairment; and
• that the impairment meets or equals a listed impairment; or
• that you cannot continue in your previous line of work;

Then, the SSA will evaluate whether or not there is other work you can do based on your skills, age, education, and “residual functional capacity.”