What Is Considered Severe Disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers a severe disability as one that significantly limits your ability to perform basic work activities.

If you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have a severe impairment that keeps you from working. 

Because if your condition is not severe enough based on the SSA’s criteria, you will not qualify for SSDI. A five-step process is used to determine the severity of your medical condition and if it meets the SSA’s criteria for a severe disability. 

Get help from an Atlanta Social Security Disability lawyer with a track record of success. Your attorney will ensure that the SSA assesses your medical condition fairly and guide you through each stage of the process for claimants.  

What Does Severe Disability Mean Under SSDI?

According to the Social Security Administration, you must have a physical or intellectual disability that limits necessary activities like walking, standing, sitting, or lifting.

For such a condition to be considered a severe disability, it has to keep you from performing these actions for at least 12 months. 

Below are factors to consider relative to what’s classified as a severe disability.

The SSA’s Basic Definition of a Total Disability

SSDI covers total disabilities. A total disability lasts (or is expected to last) for a year or more or result in death. It can also prevent you from performing the work that you did previously, and you cannot adjust to other types of work due to the severity of your medical condition. 

The SSA does not pay for partial or short-term disability. Per the SSA guidelines, your condition must be severe enough to keep you from working. The Social Security program assumes employees can turn to other forms of assistance for short-term disabilities.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

A severe disability prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity. If you are earning more than a certain amount, the SSA will consider it SGA, and the threshold for this activity can change each year. 

For 2026, the SGA for non-blind individuals is a monthly gross income of $1,690. For blind individuals, the SGA is $2,830 per month. If you make more than the SGA amount, Social Security will not consider your condition severe enough. In other words, a severe disability will prevent you from earning a livable income.

Get legal help when in doubt about what’s considered a severe disability. Partner with a Social Security Disability attorney who has received many positive client testimonials.

Your lawyer will give you insights into the SSA’s guidelines for severe disabilities. They will let you know if your medical condition lines up with these guidelines and if you’re eligible to file a claim.  

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Examples of Severe Disabilities

The Social Security Administration has a list of disabling conditions. If your medical condition is on this listing of impairments, the SSA will consider your request for benefits.

On the other hand, if your condition is not on the impairment list, the SSA will compare your medical condition to a listed one. Here are some of the medical conditions that may be considered severe disabilities.

Disorders

Those who are dealing with an abnormal physical or mental condition that disrupts their normal cognitive abilities, bodily functions, behaviors, or health could get disability benefits based on a severe impairment.

Prioritize self-care if you’re coping with behavioral disorders or others. You should also review the details below about disorders that can meet the criteria for SSDI benefits:

• Musculoskeletal system disorders, including spine disorders, amputations, soft tissue injuries, and fractures
• Special senses and speech disorders, including loss of central visual acuity, visual impairment, Ménière’s disease, speech loss, contraction of the visual field, low vision, blindness, hearing impairment, and hearing loss 
• Respiratory disorders, including chronic respiratory disorders, asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic pulmonary hypertension, and cystic fibrosis
• Cardiovascular system disorders, including chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, symptomatic congenital heart disease, recurrent arrhythmias, and peripheral arterial disease
• Digestive system disorders, including chronic liver disease, short bowel syndrome (SBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Genitourinary disorders, including chronic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome
• Hematological disorders, including sickle cell disease and disorders of bone marrow failure
• Skin disorders, including ichthyosis, dermatitis, bullous disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, burns, and chronic infections of the skin or mucous membranes
• Endocrine disorders, including pituitary gland disorders, adrenal gland disorders, parathyroid gland disorders, thyroid gland disorders, and diabetes
• Congenital disorders, including non-mosaic Down syndrome
• Neurological disorders, including epilepsy, benign brain tumors, spinal cord disorders, Parkinsonian syndromes, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy
• Mental disorders, including neurocognitive disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and eating disorders
• Immune system disorders, including lupus, immune deficiency disorders, inflammatory arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome

Those who are dealing with any of these disorders should give them the attention they deserve. If you submit an SSDI claim based on your disorder and provide the SSA with sufficient medical evidence to support your benefits request, you are well-equipped to receive approval. From here, you’ll get benefits that could serve you well for a long time.  

Cancers

The SSA may consider disabilities relating to soft tissue cancers of the head and neck, skin cancers, lymphoma, thyroid cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma, liver cancer, and other forms of cancer to be serious. 

As such, you could receive SSDI benefits if you have been diagnosed with various types of cancer. If you are interested in getting SSDI benefits as you cope with the ramifications of these or other medical conditions, it pays to have an attorney who has helped clients in cases similar to yours achieve outstanding case results on your side. 

Your lawyer will help you file your claim and boost your chances of getting it approved promptly. 

How to File for Severe Disability Insurance in Georgia

In Georgia, it’s a multi-step process to request disability insurance benefits based on respiratory illnesses, mental illnesses, or other disabling conditions that can be considered severe impairments. You’ll have to follow Georgia’s request steps to file claims for disabilities if your disabling physical or mental condition limits your ability to work and earn income.

Go Through the Process of Requesting SSDI Benefits for Severe Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities who rush through the process of asking for SSDI benefits risk mistakes that can lead to claim denials. Have an attorney who knows the ins and outs of this process assist you. 

They will help you during the steps of this process, which are as follows:

• Determine your eligibility for SSDI benefits. Disabled individuals have to meet the eligibility criteria for the severe disability program in Georgia. 
• Gather necessary information. Collect all relevant personal information, including your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records, employment history, and financial information. These documents are necessary when you complete your application for insurance benefits for individuals with disabilities. 
• Apply online or in person. Eligible individuals can apply for benefits for severe disabilities in Georgia online through the SSA’s website or by scheduling an appointment at their local Social Security office. 
• Complete your application. Provide accurate and detailed information on the disability application form and include information about your disabling medical condition, healthcare providers, and how your condition limits your ability to work. Be thorough and ensure that all sections of your application are completed in full. 
• Submit supporting documentation. These documents can include medical records, test results, treatment history, statements from healthcare professionals, and any other relevant evidence that demonstrates the severity and impact of your medical condition on your day-to-day activities. 
• Cooperate with Disability Determination Services (DDS). If Disability Adjudication Services (DAS) requests additional information or schedules a consultative examination, cooperate by providing information or attending appointments. This will help you avoid doubts about your benefits request and minimize the risk of delays in decision-making. 
• Follow up on your application. Stay informed about the status of your claim for benefits relating to your disabilities. You can check the status online through your SSA account or contact the local SSA office to inquire about the progress of your application. 

Ideally, the Social Security Administration sees that your benefits request is legitimate and approves it right away. Unfortunately, the SSA will deny your request if there are concerns about its validity.

If your claim is denied or you face challenges during the application process, consult with a Social Security disability claims attorney who’ll help you determine your next steps. 

Learn How to Prove That You Are Severely Disabled

You will need to provide proof of your medical condition when applying for SSDI. The medical evidence should show that your condition makes you unable to work and will last for a minimum of one year. If it doesn’t, the SSA will deny your application. 

Work with a Social Security Disability lawyer if you are worried about getting approval for SSDI. Your SSDI lawyer can provide insights into what the SSA evaluates when deciding whether to approve or deny a claim. If you have already been denied benefits, your lawyer can appeal on your behalf. 

Know the Timeline for Getting Approved for SSDI Benefits

The time it takes to be approved for SSDI benefits can vary depending on several factors. Typically, the application process for benefits for disabilities can be lengthy, and it may take months to receive a decision. 

Here are some of the factors that can impact the processing time for your SSDI request:

• Initial application: Your initial application for benefits can take weeks to complete and submit. Once your application is filed, it undergoes a review process by the DAS, which conducts comprehensive assessments to determine your eligibility for benefits. 
• Medical evidence and documentation: It may take time to gather all the necessary medical records and reports from healthcare providers to support your claim, and the DAS may request additional information or consultative examinations to assess the severity of your medical condition. 
• Case complexity: Some cases require an extensive review if multiple medical conditions are involved or if the evidence is comprehensive and requires in-depth evaluation. 
• Backlog and workload: The workload and backlog of disability claims at the DAS and the SSA can affect the processing time. If there is a high volume of claims or staffing shortages, it may result in delays. 
• Appeals: If your initial application is denied, you can request reconsideration or file an appeal. These additional steps can extend the processing time as the case goes through further evaluations.

Ultimately, Social Security’s goal is to ensure accurate and fair decisions while processing claims efficiently. Retain a severe disability attorney near you, as they can help facilitate the claims process and improve your chances of getting the benefits request approved.

Ask for Legal Help if You Have What Is Considered to Be a Severe Disability and Want SSDI Benefits

Severe disabilities have far-reaching effects on adults and their families. If you have a medical condition that affects your residual functional capacity or any other way that prevents you from enjoying your life to the fullest extent, you could obtain SSDI benefits. 

To find out, meet with an Atlanta disability lawyer who will prioritize your case. John Foy & Associates is a Georgia law firm that gives you access to a legal team with over 350 years of combined experience. 

Our attorneys know how difficult it is to get a Social Security Disability Benefits request approved. If you want help with your SSDI benefits request, we’re here for you. For more information, request a free case consultation with us.