When you sustain a sudden injury or when a long-term condition takes a turn for the worse, you may realize that your health issues have become a significant impediment to your ability to work. In such moments, you might wonder whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. However, getting a straight answer to this question can be challenging.
In this article, we at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons explain what you need to know about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides whether you are disabled.
Understanding Disability Under SSA
To be considered disabled in a way that the SSA will recognize, you must have a health impairment that prevents you from working for 12 months or longer. Alternatively, your condition will qualify if health professionals expect it to contribute to your death, even if they predict that you have less than a year to live.
It is worth noting that the SSA does not offer partial disability benefits. Either you fully qualify, or you don’t.
The Five-Step Evaluation Process
When determining whether you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits, the SSA follows a process involving five questions. These are:
- Are You Working? – If you have average earnings of over $1,550 a month (or $2,590 if you are blind), you will generally be considered ineligible for disability benefits. If you do not work or your earnings are below the threshold, the SSA will consider your application with the remaining four questions.
- Is Your Condition Severe? – To be considered severe, your disability must prevent you from performing (or will likely prevent you from performing) work-related activities for 12 months or more.
- Is Your Condition on the List? – The SSA maintains a list of severe medical conditions. If your condition is on the list (and if your medical records contain all the necessary findings) or is as severe as a condition on the list, you will generally qualify. If not, you must proceed to the following question.
- Are You Capable of Performing the Work You Used to Do? – Unless your medical condition prevents you from doing any of your past work, you will not qualify. However, if it does, you will go on to the final question.
- Can You Perform Another Type of Work? – The SSA will consider your skills, experience, age, and education to determine whether you can do any other type of work despite your disability. If you can, your Social Security Disability claim will be denied.
Medical Evidence and Documentation
The SSA relies heavily on medical evidence to assess your disability claim. You’ll need to provide comprehensive medical records, including doctor’s notes, test results, and treatment history. The more detailed and recent your documentation, the stronger your case. Be sure to include records from all healthcare providers who have treated your condition.
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is a determination of your ability to perform work-related activities despite your limitations. The SSA uses this to determine what type of work, if any, you can still do. They consider physical abilities like lifting, standing, and walking, as well as mental capacities such as concentration and social interaction.
Appeals Process If Denied
If the SSA denies your initial application, don’t lose hope. You have the right to appeal. The appeals process includes several stages:
- Reconsideration
- Hearing by an administrative law judge
- Review by the Appeals Council
- Federal Court review
Each stage offers an opportunity to argue your case. The SSDI attorneys at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons can provide the assistance you need to make your argument compelling.
Contact Our Oklahoma SSA Disability Attorneys for Help
If you need assistance with your SSDI application, we at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons are ready to help you through the process. Our Oklahoma social security disability attorneys have decades of experience, and we know how to get the results you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
This post was originally published in April 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in January 2025.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
