Non-Medical Requirements for Social Security Disability Benefits in 2023

If you have become disabled with a condition expected to last a year or more, or until death, you may have questions about the non-medical aspects of your disability case. Read on to learn more about the necessary non-medical requirements and guidelines for both the Social Security Administration programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

There are several non-medical requirements for disability, whether you are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

The non-medical requirements for disability differ due to the nature of the two programs offered by the Social Security Administration. SSI is needs-based, while SSDI is work history based.

In addition to meeting the medical disability requirements for SSDI, you must also ensure that you meet all the guidelines for the non-medical portions of the SSDI program offered through the Social Security Administration.

• You must have earned enough qualifying work credits.
• You must have worked a job in your lifetime that paid into the Social Security fund.
• You must not be able to work the previous jobs you have performed in the past.
• You must not be able to perform any other type of work available in the national economy.
• If you are working in 2023 and your earnings average more than $1,470 ($2,460 if you're blind) per month, you generally cannot be considered to have a qualifying disability, according to the Social Security Administration.
• If you are blind or have limited vision, special program rules apply. This may be the case if your vision problems alone or combined with other health problems prevent you from working.
• You do not necessarily have to be a citizen to qualify for SSDI benefits if you have the correct amount of work credits.
• As a non-citizen, you can qualify for SSDI benefits if you can prove that your impairments prevent you from working, that you are lawfully living in the United States, and that you have paid into the Social Security system.

Remember, Social Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to 4 credits each year. The amount needed for a work credit changes from year to year. In 2023, for example, you earn 1 credit for each $1,640 in wages or self-employment income. When you've earned $6,560, you've earned your 4 credits for the year. You can find more information about this here.

After ensuring that you have a qualifying disability within Social Security's strict definition, you will need to ensure that you meet the non-medical requirements for SSI.

• Your condition must generally be "severe" enough that the disability limitations will last a year or more, or until death.
• You must not be making more than the "Substantial" gainful activity amount for the allotted year. For 2023, substantial gainful activity is listed as $1,470 ($2,460 if you're blind) per month.
• You must not be able to work any previous jobs or positions you held in the past.
• You must not be able to work any related jobs in the national economy.
• You must have limited financial resources, including bank accounts, mortgages, cars, etc.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program. To get SSI, your countable resources must not be worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. SSA calls this the resource limit.
• You must be a US citizen.
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• Medical Disability refers to your disability diagnosis based on your medical team's records, including but not limited to your specialist providers, your primary healthcare physician, and your therapist's recommendations.
• Non-medical disability requirements refer to your bank account finances, citizenship status, financial resources, other accounts, and your past relevant work history.
• Medical Disability includes the careful review of your medical records and disability status by both the Social Security Administration and their state agency, Disability Determination Status. In appealed denial situations, an Administrative Law Judge may be involved.
• Non-Medical disability determination is based on a review of your financial factors, previous work history, citizenship status, and other non-medical or disability-related factors.

The bottom line difference between medical and non-medical disability aspects is that if it has to do with your medical records or appointments, it is most likely related to Medical disability.