Are you struggling with a severe medical condition that prevents you from working? If so, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Learn about the conditions that automatically qualify individuals for these benefits.
What Are Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits?
SSDI benefits provide monthly monetary benefits to disabled individuals. The SSDI program is a federal assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
To be eligible for benefits, you must be disabled. Disability is defined as a permanent and severe impairment that prevents you from performing your past work or other substantial gainful work activity. The SSA uses a five-step process to make this determination:
- Are you working?
If you are currently performing work activity at substantial gainful activity (SGA) levels, you are not considered disabled. Substantial gainful activity is defined by the amount of money you earn each month. A person who earns more than a certain monthly amount is considered to be working at SGA levels. In 2024, that amount is set at $1,550. In 2025, that amount is set at $1,620. To review each year’s definition of SGA, check out SSA’s chart here.
- Do you have a severe impairment?
The SSA must determine that you have a severe physical or mental impairment to be eligible for benefits. A severe impairment is one that significantly limits your ability to perform basic work activity and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
- Do you meet or equal a listing?
The SSA has a list of definitions of physical and mental disabilities, including musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular illnesses, respiratory illnesses, cancers, and cognitive and mental health conditions. If you meet or equal a listing, the SSA will determine that you are disabled. They will approve your application for SSDI benefits at step 3 of the sequential evaluation. However, if you do not meet a listing, the SSA will move on to step 4 of the evaluation.
- Can you perform your past work?
The SSA will determine if you can perform any of your past relevant work. Past relevant work is work that you did in the past five years before the onset of your disability. If you can perform your past work, the SSA will deny your claim.
- Can you perform other types of work?
If you are not able to perform your past work, the SSA will review your claim to determine if you can adjust to other work that exists in the national economy. Considering the limiting effects of your physical or mental impairment, as well as your age, education, and work experience, the SSA will determine if there is other work you can do. If you cannot adjust to other work, you will be found disabled.
The disability evaluation process can be complicated and time-consuming, often taking several months to over a year. Although there is no process to automatically qualify for benefits, there are certain conditions that you may have that can lead to a faster approval.
Listing of Impairments
The Social Security Administration uses a Listing of Impairments, often referred to as the Blue Book, to determine if you have a physical or mental impairment that entitles you to disability benefits. This Listing of Impairments is considered at step 3 of the sequential evaluation discussed above. If you meet a listed impairment, your application for SSDI benefits will be approved; the SSA does not need to proceed to step 4 or 5. Therefore, a finding of disability at step 3 of the sequential evaluation may lead to a quicker approval.
The listings include impairments related to:
- 1.00 – Musculoskeletal System
- 2.00 – Special Senses and Speech
- 3.00 – Respiratory Disorders
- 4.00 – Cardiovascular System
- 5.00 – Digestive System
- 6.00 – Genitourinary Disorders
- 7.00 – Hematological Disorders
- 8.00 – Skin Disorders
- 9.00 – Endocrine Disorders
- 10.00 – Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems
- 11.00 – Neurological Disorders
- 12.00 – Mental Disorders
- 13.00 – Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)
- 14.00 – Immune System Disorders
Presumptive Disability
In some cases, the SSA will determine that you have a presumptive disability and pay you disability payments quickly while you wait for them to evaluate your full Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application and make a final decision. The Presumptive Disability program is only available to individuals who apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and provides financial relief to those individuals while they wait for their claim to be adjudicated. The types of conditions that qualify for presumptive disability are ones that are severe enough that they likely meet the SSA’s disability criteria. To learn more about presumptive disability, read our article on presumptive disability benefits.
Compassionate Allowances
A Compassionate Allowance provision was designed by the SSA to expedite the processing of disability claims for individuals who have a severe medical condition that likely qualifies them for disability benefits. The SSA has a compassionate allowances list of over 200 conditions that qualify for this quick processing. If your condition is included on the compassionate allowance list, you can receive a decision within weeks, significantly reducing average processing times. You can learn more about Compassionate Allowance processes here.
Important Considerations to Keep in Mind
When applying for disability benefits, it’s important to consider the following:
Determining eligibility
Not all conditions automatically qualify you for disability benefits. For your application to be processed faster, your condition must be of such severity that it meets a listed impairment, is on the Compassionate Allowance list, or is likely to be approved for Presumptive Disability benefits. The SSA’s Blue Book lists all the conditions that automatically qualify you for disability. The Compassionate Allowance List lists all the conditions that qualify under that program. It’s important to review these lists and their criteria to better understand the programs.
Meeting the duration requirement
To qualify for disability benefits, your condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least one year or result in death. This means that temporary or short-term conditions may not qualify.
Evaluating your condition’s impact on your ability to work
Your disability must be severe enough that it prevents you from doing any substantial gainful activity. If you are currently working at SGA levels, you will not be eligible for disability benefits. This is true even if you meet the definition of disability found on the SSA’s Blue Book list or on its Compassionate Allowance list.
Considering the disability application and appeals process
Applying for disability can be a complex and lengthy process. It’s essential to gather all necessary medical information, complete all required paperwork, and be prepared for potential denials and appeals.
If you believe that your condition meets a listed impairment, it can be helpful to note the listing that your condition meets on your application or in the appeal. If you believe that your condition is eligible for a compassionate allowance, you should inform the local SSA office. To find your local SSA office, click here.
Consulting a disability lawyer
Given the complexity of the application process, consulting a disability lawyer can be beneficial. They can guide you through the process, help gather necessary evidence and represent you in case of an appeal.
For help with your SSDI or SSI application, contact LaPorte Law Firm. Our lawyers have successfully guided countless individuals through the complex Social Security disability application and appeals processes and can help you get the benefits you deserve.
FAQs
There is no disability that automatically qualifies you for benefits. However, your claim will be approved if you meet a Listing of Impairments. You can find the full list of physical and mental impairments on the SSA’s website here.
Before you apply for benefits, it’s important to review the eligibility requirements for disability benefits. You must meet the SSA’s medical and nonmedical requirements of disability to receive benefits. To learn more, you can visit https://www.ssa.gov/disability.
Eligibility for a compassionate allowance is determined based on a list of conditions that the SSA has identified as meeting its disability standards. Conditions that may qualify for a compassionate allowance include:
- Certain cancers: Acute leukemia, esophageal cancer, gallbladder cancer, brain cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, salivary and sinonasal cancers, and small cell cancer, as well as cancers that are inoperable, have recurred despite treatment, or have metastasized
- Rare disorders: Choroid plexus carcinoma (a rare, aggressive brain cancer) and FOXG1 syndrome (a neurological disorder usually diagnosed in infancy)
- Other conditions: Adult-onset Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Ewing’s sarcoma, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome
