SSA’s Definition of Disability

To qualify for SSDI, your condition must meet the SSA’s definition of a disability:

• You must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment
• The impairment must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
• It must prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA) — meaning you can't earn more than a certain income threshold due to your condition

Step 1: Does Your Condition Appear in the Blue Book?

The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, often referred to as the “Blue Book”. This list includes a wide range of medical conditions that automatically qualify for benefits if you meet the listed criteria.

Some common categories in the Blue Book include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., back injuries, joint problems)
• Cardiovascular conditions (e.g., heart failure)
• Respiratory disorders (e.g., COPD, asthma)
• Neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis)
• Mental health conditions (e.g., depression, schizophrenia, PTSD)
• Cancer (certain forms automatically qualify)

Each listing outlines specific medical tests, symptoms, and functional limitations that must be documented in your medical records.

Step 2: If You Don’t Meet a Listing, Can You Equal One?

If your condition doesn’t match a Blue Book listing exactly, you might still qualify if you can prove that your condition is medically equivalent in severity to a listed impairment. This is often where strong medical evidence and doctor support become crucial.

Step 3: Prove That You Cannot Work

Even if you don’t meet or equal a listing, you can still be approved if your condition prevents you from working full-time.

The SSA uses a 5-step sequential evaluation process to assess your ability to work:

1. Are you earning SGA? If yes, you may not qualify.
2. Is your condition severe? It must significantly limit your ability to perform work tasks.
3. Does it meet or equal a listed impairment?
4. Can you do your past work? SSA will evaluate your past relevant jobs.
5. Can you do other work? Based on your age, education, and work history, can you do any other type of work?

You must demonstrate that your condition prevents you from doing any kind of work, not just your former job.

Step 4: Build a Strong Medical Record

Medical evidence is the foundation of your SSDI claim. To meet the requirements:

• Visit your doctor regularly
• Follow treatment plans
• Gather all medical records, including imaging, test results, and physician notes
• Get a medical source statement: A detailed letter from your doctor explaining how your condition limits your ability to work

SSA may also require you to attend a consultative exam with a doctor they choose.