SSA’s Definition of Disability

To qualify for SSDI benefits, your condition must:

• Prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA) – earning more than $1,550 per month in 2025 ($2,590 if blind)
• Be severe enough to limit your ability to perform basic work tasks
• Have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death

Conditions Listed in the SSA Blue Book

The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, known as the Blue Book, which includes medical conditions that may automatically qualify if their criteria are met. Some of these conditions include:

Musculoskeletal Disorders

• Severe back injuries (such as spinal stenosis or herniated discs)
• Joint dysfunction
• Severe fractures that fail to heal properly

Neurological Disorders

• Epilepsy
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Stroke with lasting functional limitations

Cardiovascular Disorders

• Chronic heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease

Respiratory Disorders

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma with frequent hospitalizations
• Cystic fibrosis

Mental Disorders

• Depression and bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia or psychotic disorders
• Anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and panic disorders
• Intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder

Immune System Disorders

• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• HIV/AIDS with severe symptoms

Digestive System Disorders

• Chronic liver disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Cancer

• Many types of cancer may qualify, especially if they are aggressive, have spread, or require extensive treatment.

What if Your Condition Is Not Listed?

Even if your condition is not specifically listed in the Blue Book, you can still qualify if you can prove that:

• Your condition is medically equivalent in severity to a listed condition
• It prevents you from performing any work you have done in the past
• It prevents you from adjusting to any other type of work based on your age, education, and skills

Medical Evidence Requirements

To prove your condition qualifies for SSDI, you need strong medical evidence, such as:



• Doctor’s treatment notes detailing your diagnosis, symptoms, and limitations
• Hospital records and specialist reports
• Lab results, imaging studies (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
• Statements from treating physicians explaining how your condition prevents you from working