Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance?

Key takeaways

• Social Security uses a five-step approval process to determine who is medically eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
• Key factors include whether you can work, the severity of your medical condition, and functional limitations caused by your disability.
• You must have a condition that limits your ability to perform basic work activities, and it must be expected to last at least 12 consecutive months.

Summary

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step process to determine if people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are medically eligible. The evaluation covers several factors related to your ability (or inability) to do work beyond a certain level and the severity of your medical condition. AARP Social Security expert Jammie Lyell walks you through it.

If your condition significantly limits your ability to perform basic work functions and is on Social Security’s list of disabling impairments, known as the Blue Book, you automatically qualify for SSDI. Even if this is not the case, you may still qualify if the SSA determines you can’t perform the job you did previously or another type of work. Medical evidence and your age, education, employment history and skill set play a role in determining eligibility.

The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Full transcript

[0:00:00] This video may help you better understand if you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI.

[0:00:07] The Social Security Administration uses a five-step approval process to determine who is medically eligible for disability benefits, and the rules are strict.

[0:00:18] Nearly 2 million people apply for SSDI each year, and roughly two-thirds of them are denied.

[0:00:26] To determine if you qualify, the SSA factors in if you can work, the severity of your medical condition, and your functional limitations, in that order.

[0:00:36] OK, let’s break it down.

[0:00:38] Step one: Are you working?

[0:00:42] Since you may still be able to work with your disability, the Social Security Administration will first ask if you are performing what they call substantial gainful activity, or SGA.

[0:00:55] This is the level of work and earnings used to decide if you are disabled.

[0:00:59] For example, in 2026, if you make more than $1,690 per month or more than $2,830 a month if you are blind, you are generally not considered disabled.

[0:01:14] If you are not working or working and not performing SGA, your application is moved on to the next step.

[0:01:22] Step two: is your condition severe?

[0:01:25] To qualify, you must have a condition that limits your ability to perform basic work activities like standing, walking, sitting or remembering. In most cases, the condition must be expected to last at least 12 consecutive months based on medical evidence.

[0:01:47] If your condition is terminal, your case may be fast-tracked through this step.

[0:01:52] OK, step number three: Is your condition or illness found in Social Security’s list of disabling conditions?

[0:02:00] The SSA will compare your condition against this official list of severe impairments known as the Blue Book.

[0:02:06] Some examples of the conditions that usually qualify are multiple sclerosis, severe heart disease, chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis, Parkinson’s disease or various kinds of cancer.

[0:02:21] If you have one of these conditions or something that’s equally severe, you’re eligible for benefits and the process stops here.

[0:02:27] Step number four: Can you do the work you did previously?

[0:02:33] The Social Security Administration looks at whether you’re still capable of doing the work you’ve done in the past.

[0:02:39] They typically look at the jobs you’ve had within the last five years. And if you can still function well enough to do your past work, you are not eligible for benefits.

[0:02:50] If you can’t, then you move on to the final step.

[0:02:54] OK, step number five: Can you do any other type of work?

[0:02:59] If you can’t do the work you did in the past, they will ask you if there are other jobs you can perform in your current situation.

[0:03:07] To determine this, they will look closely at your medical condition, your age, education, past work experiences and transferable skills.

[0:03:19] If it is determined that you can’t do any other work, you have sufficient medical evidence that supports your claim, and you meet all five criteria, you are medically eligible for disability benefits.

[0:03:33] OK, I know this was probably a lot to take in, so we hope this video helped.

[0:03:38] If you still have more questions about disability benefits that we didn’t cover,

[0:03:44] head over to aarp.org/SocialSecurity or leave any questions you have in the comments below, so we can answer them in future videos. Thanks for watching.