How Social Security Evaluates Disability Claims: Understanding the Sequential Evaluation Process
Do you have questions about the way the Social Security Administration evaluates claims for disability benefits?
My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better.
In this video, we discuss the sequential evaluation process that Social Security and state agencies follow when reviewing an application for disability benefits.
What Is the Sequential Evaluation Process?
The sequential evaluation process for assessing Social Security Disability claims consists of the following five steps:
Step One: Is the Individual Engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity?
If the individual is working and earning above the SGA level—currently $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals in 2024—they are considered not disabled, and the evaluation ends.
Similarly, if the individual is working 20 hours a week or more, they will also be considered not disabled, and the analysis of disability will end there.
If the individual is not working above either of those thresholds, the evaluation proceeds to the next step.
Step Two: Does the Individual Have a Severe Medically Determinable Physical or Mental Impairment?
The impairment must significantly limit the individual’s ability to perform basic work activities.
If the impairment is not severe or does not meet and is not expected to meet the 12-month duration requirement, the individual is considered not disabled.
If the impairment is severe and meets the duration requirement, the evaluation moves to step three.
Step Three: Does the Impairment Meet or Equal the Severity of a Listed Impairment?
The Social Security Administration maintains a listing of impairments in the Blue Book that describes impairments considered severe enough to prevent an individual from doing any gainful activity.
If the individual’s impairment meets or equals the severity of a listed impairment, they are considered disabled.
If not, the evaluation proceeds to step four.
Step Four: Can the Individual Perform Their Past Relevant Work?
The adjudicator will assess the individual’s residual functional capacity (RFC) to determine if they can still do their past relevant work.
- If they can perform their past relevant work, they will be considered not disabled.
- If they cannot, the evaluation moves to step five.
Step Five: Can the Individual Adjust to Any Other Work in the National Economy?
The adjudicator will consider the individual’s RFC, age, education, and work experience to determine whether the individual can adjust to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy.
- If the individual cannot adjust to other work, they will be considered disabled.
- If they can adjust to other work, they are considered not disabled.
Final Thoughts on the Sequential Evaluation Process
The sequential evaluation process is designed to determine whether an individual meets the strict definition of disability under the Social Security Administration’s rules, regulations, and guidelines.
To qualify, they must be unable to engage in any type of substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to either result in death or last at least 12 months.
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