What Qualifies as a Disability?
If you are injured and out of work, Social Security disability benefits can be invaluable in helping you support yourself and your family. But what qualifies as a disability according to the SSA? In order to determine your eligibility for benefits, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the Blue Book. This book outlines all of the impairments and conditions that qualify for benefits.
What Qualifies as a Disability?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has an extensive disability evaluation process that determines whether your condition qualifies as a disability. You must show that:
- You’re unable to engage in a substantial gainful activity (SGA). The SSA updates the SGA amount annually, and it is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 a month for blind individuals in 2025.
- Your disability is “severe,” so you cannot engage in basic work-related tasks for at least 12 months or your impairment is expected to result in death.
- You cannot engage in the same line of work that you did prior to your disability and you cannot perform any other work activities.
If you’re over 50, the rules are more relaxed, and you may have an easier time being approved for disability benefits.
The SSA’s Blue Book lists all of the medical conditions that qualify for disability, but you must still meet the requirements above to be approved.
Not sure what qualifies as a disability and whether your condition applies? Schedule a free consultation to speak to an attorney today.
Where Can I Find the Social Security Disability Blue Book?
Every condition is listed under a specific numbered category. For instance, you will find conditions involving the Musculoskeletal System listed under 1.00. Within each category, listed conditions are given a specific corresponding number. Then, under the subcategory, you will find a description of each condition and the requirements for eligibility.
How to Complete Forms and Reports for Your SSD Case
What Medical Conditions Are Listed in the Blue Book?
The SSA’s Blue Book provides extensive, categorized medical conditions and how they’re evaluated. If you have one of the conditions listed in the Blue Book, you have a qualifying medical condition.
Some of the conditions that are mentioned in the Blue Book are listed below:
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What If My Condition Is Not in the Listings?
Not every condition that qualifies for disability benefits is listed in the Blue Book or meets the exact definition described in the book. But even if your condition is not listed in the Blue Book, you may still be able to qualify for benefits.
For example, your condition may still be eligible if it medically equals the criteria of another listing. This is known as “equaling a disability listing.” In other words, you must be able to prove that your condition is equivalent to a listed condition. The SSA will allow you to do this in the following situations:
- Your impairment is listed, but it doesn’t meet specific criteria. You can equal the listing if you can show that you have other medical issues that are equal in medical value to the requirements.
- Your impairment is not listed, but is very similar to one that is listed. You can equal the listing if you can show that your impairment is medically equivalent to the one found in the similar listing.
- Your impairment is a combination of impairments that each don’t necessarily meet an individual listing. You can equal the listing if the combined effect of your condition is equal to similar listings.
