What Qualifies As A Disability?

The Social Security Administration has strict criteria for disability benefits eligibility. There are 3 main criteria you must meet:

You can't do the work you did before

Your condition prevents you from performing your job duties.

You can't adjust to other work

Your condition prevents you from engaging in other substantial gainful activity (SGA), which means you can't earn above a certain monthly amount.

Your condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death

This sounds extreme, but it means that it can't be a short-term condition.

What conditions qualify?

Physical Health Issues

Conditions that make work difficult, such as chronic back pain, severe arthritis, heart disease, or cancer.

Life-Altering Injuries

Serious, lasting injuries from an accident, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, or amputations.

Chronic & Progressive Illnesses

Long-term diseases that impact your ability to work, like diabetes with complications, lupus, advanced kidney disease, or HIV/AIDS.

Mental Health Conditions

Severe challenges like debilitating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia that interfere with your ability to focus and handle stress.

The SSA disability benefits qualifications process can be complex, and there are many steps needed in order to prove “disability”. Having a legal expert on your team will ensure you’re prepared at every step, guiding you through the process.