Overview - Social Security & SSI Disability Criteria

Legal Author - Travis Hansen, Esq.
Updated - September 14, 2025

General

Adult Disability Benefits

Adult 5-Step Disability Evaluation Process. You can receive either or both SSDI and SSI disability benefits if you satisfy the Adult 5-Step Disability Evaluation Process. You must satisfy Steps 1, 2, and 3 or Steps 1, 2, 4, and 5 (most common):

1. Step 1: You are not performing "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) and you satisfy the durational requirement,
2. Step 2: Your impairment is "severe,"
3. Step 3: You satisfy a "listing,"
4. Step 4: You cannot do your "past work," and
5. Step 5: You cannot do "other work."

A full discussion is available here - Adult Disability Criteria.

Child Disability Benefits

Child 3-Step Disability Evaluation Process. Based on their disability, your child can only receive SSI disability benefits. Your child must satisfy the Child 3-Step Disability Evaluation Process:

1. Step 1: Your child is not performing "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) and they satisfy the durational requirement,
2. Step 2: Your child's impairment is "severe," and
3. Step 3: Your child satisfies a "listing."

A full discussion is available here - Child Disability Criteria.

Statutory Blindness

For either or both SSDI and SSI disability benefits, you will be found disabled if you are statutorily blind:

1. In the better eye, central visual acuity of 20/200 or less with the use of correcting lenses;
2. In the better eye, the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.

A full discussion is available here - Statutory Blindness.

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