Here are the common eligibility requirements for all disability claims:
Work history: In order to be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must have worked and paid into the Social Security system for a certain period of time, earning enough work credits.
Severe medical condition: You must have a severe medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, which prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity.
Medical documentation: You must provide medical documentation to support your disability claim.
Impairment must be listed: Your impairment must be listed in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, or must be equivalent in severity to a listed impairment.
Here are the eligibility requirements for the 20 most common disabilities filed with the SSA:
Arthritis: You must have a diagnosis of arthritis that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Back problems: You must have a diagnosis of a severe back problem that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Heart disease: You must have a diagnosis of heart disease that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Diabetes: You must have a diagnosis of diabetes that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Cancer: You must have a diagnosis of cancer that is expected to result in death or that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months and results in significant limitations in daily activities.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): You must have a diagnosis of COPD that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Depression: You must have a diagnosis of depression that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Anxiety: You must have a diagnosis of anxiety that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Bipolar disorder: You must have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Schizophrenia: You must have a diagnosis of schizophrenia that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Asthma: You must have a diagnosis of asthma that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Stroke: You must have a diagnosis of a stroke that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Chronic kidney disease: You must have a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Hepatitis C: You must have a diagnosis of hepatitis C that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Chronic liver disease: You must have a diagnosis of chronic liver disease that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Fibromyalgia: You must have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Multiple sclerosis (MS): You must have a diagnosis of MS that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): You must have a diagnosis of CFS that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Rheumatoid arthritis: You must have a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
HIV/AIDS: You must have a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS that results in significant limitations in daily activities and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
Get Help Now
It’s important to understand that applying for SSDI benefits can be a complex and lengthy process. Individuals must provide detailed information about their work history, medical condition, and functional limitations to the SSA. The SSA will also require medical evidence from healthcare providers to support the disability claim. Because of the complexity of the application process, many individuals choose to work with an experienced SSDI attorney or advocate who can guide them through the process and help ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to.
