Skip to content
Social Security Online

Social Security Handbook

SSA Handbook Title Page

SSA logo: link to Social Security Online home 600. Who qualifies for disability determinations?

We make disability determinations for:

  1. Insured individuals who apply for disability benefits or for a period of disability (as described in Chapter 5);

  2. Widow(er)s and children who qualify because of relationship to an insured worker;

  3. Adults who qualify and apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability payments;

  4. Children under age 18 who qualify and apply for SSI disability payments (see §517).

This Chapter explains generally how the terms and requirements in Chapter 5 pertain to evaluating disability. It also covers what evidence is needed to make a disability determination.

Last Revised: Jul. 26, 2005

  Link to FirstGov.gov: U.S. Government portal Privacy Policy | Website Policies & Other Important Information | Site Map
Last reviewed or modified Friday Sep 19, 2008

Need LargerText?