SSDI Overview
What SSDI is, who qualifies, and how the five-step evaluation works.
Key Concepts
- Work Credits: Earned through payroll taxes; needed to be insured for SSDI.
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): Earnings threshold; working above SGA usually defeats disability.
- Medical Listings & RFC: You may qualify by meeting a listing or because your Residual Functional Capacity prevents work.
- Onset Date & Waiting Period: Affects eligibility and back pay.
Five-Step Evaluation
- Are you working over SGA?
- Is your impairment severe?
- Does it meet or equal a listed impairment?
- Can you do past relevant work?
- Can you do other work?