To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates several factors, including your work history, medical condition, and the severity of your disability. Understanding these criteria is essential for determining your eligibility.
Are you working?
Naturally, your monthly income plays a huge role in determining your monthly SSDI payment. The first step of the Social Security review process is really very simple. While you are allowed to work a little bit and still claim to be disabled, the limits are fairly low. For 2025 the absolute most you can make per month before taxes is $1620. Above that and you are engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) and they will not even look at your medical conditions.
Each year the SGA level goes up according to the cost of living. The SGA amount is higher for those who are blind. For example, SGA for statutorily blind people in 2025 is $2700.
Is this long-term?
To qualify for SSDI, your condition must have lasted (or be expected to last) at least 12 months and must significantly impact your ability to work.
Is your condition listed in the SSA’s Blue Book?
The SSA maintains a
Listing of Impairments (commonly referred to as the Blue Book), which outlines the qualifying criteria for various medical conditions. If your condition is not listed or does not meet the Blue Book’s criteria, and most do not, your case will be reviewed to determine if it is severe enough to prevent you from working.
Can you perform your previous job?
Your condition must prevent you from performing the work you did before. If you are still able to do your prior job, you will not qualify for benefits. The first thing the SSA asks is what is your residual functional capacity (RFC). Social Security will look at the jobs you’ve done over the last 5 years and make a determination, based on your RFC, as to whether or not you can do your past work.
Can you perform any other type of work?
Your medical condition must also prevent you from performing other types of work. The SSA evaluates your age, education, work experience, and skills. If you are able to transition to a different type of work, you will not qualify for benefits. Your age is a critical factor at this step since the older you are the harder it is to adapt. If you are 50 or older claims become significantly easier.
