You may be wondering if the condition you are experiencing is considered a disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA). For your condition to be a disability that qualifies for disability benefits, you must meet the SSA's Blue Book.
Does My Condition Qualify as a Disability?
The SSA uses their own set of guidelines to determine when a condition is considered disabling, qualifying the applicant for disability benefits. These guidelines can be found in the Blue Book.
The Blue Book is made up of 14 different categories, each with multiple listings that explain how specific conditions qualify for disability benefits.
You can use these listings to determine how your specific condition qualifies. You can also use the Blue Book listing to determine what medical evidence you need to help support your claim.
Non-Medical Requirements for Disability Benefits?
It’s important to know that to receive disability benefits from the SSA, you must meet certain non-medical requirements in addition to medical criteria.
For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), individuals must have a sufficient work history, meaning they need to have earned enough work credits. Work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four credits each year.
The number of work credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled. The older you are, the more work credits are required in order to be approved for benefits.
Besides work requirements, there are also financial requirements. The SSA considers you disabled if you are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
For 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 per month for blind individuals. If you earn more than these amounts, you may not be considered disabled.
For assistance, consider reaching out to a disability attorney and using other resources like our disability benefits calculator to see how much you may be entitled to.
How To Get Help with Your Claim
If you need assistance filing for disability benefits, an attorney may be able to help. A disability attorney can help you collect evidence and file your claim.
They can also help you file appeals if your claim is denied. To get connected with an independent, participating attorney that takes cases in your area, complete the Free Case Evaluation on the right side of the page.
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