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ELIGIBILITY/ QUALIFICATION PROCESS

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):

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1) Cannot work to earn a living because of the disability

2) The disability is considered "severe" by the Social Security Administration

3) The disability must meet the Social Security's List of Impairments that are defined by law as "severe."

4) If the impairment(s) is not on the list then it is compared to conditions on the list.

5) The severity of the impairment(s) meets or equals the listed impairments

To be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI):

1) Cannot work to earn a living due to the disability

2) Evidence that claimant has little to no income and very few resources

5 STEP DISABILITY QUALIFICATION PROCESS

  1. Is the Claimant working and does the work rise to the level of substantial gainful activity? If so, the Claimant is not disabled. If not, proceed to step 2.

  2. Does the Claimant have an impairment or combination of impairments that is severe, expected to result in death and/or has lasted or expected to last 12 months? If not, the Claimant is not disabled. If so, proceed to step 3.

  3. Does the Claimant’s impairment(s) meet or equal the severity of an impairment listed in appendix 1 of subpart P of part 404 of Code of Federal regulations and the duration requirement? If so, the Claimant is disabled. If not, proceed to step 4.

  4. Does the Claimant’s impairment(s) prevent the Claimant from doing past relevant work (PRW), considering Claimant’s residual functional capacity (RFC)? If not, the Claimant is not disabled. If so, proceed to step 5.

  5. Does the Claimant’s impairment(s) prevent the Claimant from performing other work that exists in the national economy, considering Claimant’s RFC together with the “vocational factors” of age, education, and work experience? If so, the Claimant is disabled. If not, the Claimant is not disabled.

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