How Do You Know if You Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?

Many people in Columbus, OH struggle with conditions that make working difficult or even impossible, and a Social Security disability claim can provide monthly payments to cover living expenses. The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs two main programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and both can potentially help.

The Basic Definition of Disability

The SSA uses a strict definition of disability. Your condition must prevent you from doing substantial gainful activity (SGA), which means earning more than a certain amount per month through work. In 2026, the SGA limit for non-blind individuals is $1,690 per month. If you earn above that level, you generally do not qualify, regardless of your health issues. For the blind, the limit is $2,830, and these amounts change with the national average wage index regularly.

Credits

SSDI pays benefits based on your work history and Social Security taxes paid. To qualify, you need at least 40 credits, and these come from earnings you’ve made over the years. You can get up to four credits per year, and in 2026, you earn one credit for every $1,890 in wages or self-employment income.

Younger workers require fewer credits, but the exact number depends on your age at the onset of your disability, and you must also meet the medical definition of disability. The SSA reviews medical records, doctor statements, and test results carefully.

Income and Resources Limits

SSI provides payments to people with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history, and it covers adults who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older, as well as certain children. For adults, the medical rules are the same as with SSDI, and the income limits are also very inflexible.

For 2026, your countable income can’t be more than about $2,019 per month from work for individuals, though the exact figure is ultimately adjusted based on other factors, like your living arrangements. They’ll also look at your personal resources, such as a savings account or any property you have other than your home and one vehicle. Those resources can’t be more than $2,000 for a single person or $3,000 for a couple.

How Your Claim Is Evaluated

The SSA follows a five-step process to decide eligibility. They’ll ask the following questions:

1. Are you working and earning above the SGA limit? If yes, the claim stops.
2. Is your impairment severe enough? It must significantly limit basic work functions and must have lasted or be expected to last 12 months (unless it is expected to result in death)
3. Does your condition meet or equal the impairment listing in the SSA’s Blue Book? This book lists impairments by body system with specific medical criteria, and if you don’t meet the criteria, you don’t qualify. 
4. Can you work any job that you previously had? The SSA considers jobs you held in the last 15 years to ascertain what your skills might be.
5. Can you adjust to other work? They’ll look at your age, education, skills, and residual functional capacity.

Talk to a Lawyer in Columbus, OH

If you are dealing with a disabling condition, we can help you in assessing your case and getting through the application process effectively. Contact Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP now for more help.

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