Qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance can be an adventure all on its own. The average wait for people who are trying to receive benefits is usually between 500 and 700 days - so there's definitely a lot of time to get sucked into the complications! Of course, everybody's case is different, but here are some general guidelines to keep in mind if you are trying to figure out if you qualify for SSDI benefits or not:

In the event that you earn more than 1,000 dollars a month, you are likely to be disqualified from receiving SSDI benefits;

The disability must be severe enough to limit the individual's ability to perform basic work activities that are needed to sustain most jobs. The following are examples:

• Walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying or handling;


• Seeing, hearing and speaking;


• Understanding/carrying out and remembering simple instructions;


• Responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers and usual work situations;


• Dealing with changes in a routine work setting.

Next, the Social Security Administration will do research on your condition to figure out whether or not your disability meets or equals a medical listing;

The SSA will then do research on your work history to figure out whether or not you were able to hold employment in the past, in spite of the disability. In the event they find that you were able to hold a job, you are likely to be denied unless there has been a serious change in your condition.

Your age, education, work experience, and physical/mental condition will be evaluated in order to determine what work you might be able to perform. There is a differing list of qualifications based on your age.

These are the steps that the Social Security Administration takes to determine whether or not an applicant is eligible for SSDI. In the event that you or somebody you know is considering applying for benefits, looking at these steps and comparing your own unique situation to them is the first step in considering your eligibility for this program.


If you have any questions, a good source to contact is the Social Security Administration itself. You can reach them at http://www.ssa.gov, or call at 800-777-1213. Good luck with your application process - and remember, it can often take over two years to receive benefits depending on your situation, so bring your supply of patience!