Eligibility Based on Severity of Your Condition

To qualify for SSDI or SSI, your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA). This means that you need to demonstrate that your disability has a major impact on your ability to work.

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked for a certain period of time and paid Social Security taxes. If your condition is severe enough to prevent you from performing work-related tasks, you may qualify, even if you're in a wheelchair.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for SSI, which is based on financial need rather than work history. SSI can be an option if you are in a wheelchair and are unable to work due to your disability.

Demonstrating the Impact of Your Disability

While being in a wheelchair is a physical limitation, the SSA will need medical evidence to demonstrate how your condition affects your ability to work. Some conditions that may lead to wheelchair use include:

• Paralysis or spinal cord injury: If you have paralysis or a spinal cord injury that prevents you from using your legs, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits.
• Neurological conditions: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or muscular dystrophy that result in severe mobility issues can make you eligible for disability benefits.
• Severe arthritis or joint problems: If you have conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis that cause debilitating pain or mobility issues, you may qualify for benefits.
• Severe heart or lung conditions: If you have a heart or lung condition that severely limits your ability to function or move, it could qualify you for disability benefits.

SSA’s Criteria for Disability

The SSA uses a strict five-step evaluation process to determine if you are eligible for disability benefits. Here’s how it works:

• Step 1: Are you working?
  If you are working and earning above a certain threshold (called Substantial Gainful Activity or SGA), you may not qualify for disability benefits. For 2025, the SGA amount is $1,470 per month (or $2,460 if you are blind).
• Step 2: Is your condition severe?
  The SSA will determine if your condition is severe enough to interfere with your ability to perform basic work tasks. If you are using a wheelchair and it severely limits your ability to work, this could be considered a severe impairment.
• Step 3: Does your condition meet the SSA’s Listing of Impairments?
  The SSA has a list of conditions, known as the Listing of Impairments, that automatically qualify for disability benefits if they meet certain criteria. Some conditions related to mobility issues, such as paralysis, spinal cord injuries, or severe joint problems, may be included in the listing.
• Step 4: Can you do your past work?
  The SSA will evaluate whether you can still perform your previous job despite your disability. If you cannot perform your past work due to the limitations imposed by using a wheelchair, they will move to the next step.
• Step 5: Can you do any other type of work?
  If you cannot do your past work, the SSA will determine if you can perform other types of work, taking into account your age, education, and transferable skills. If your disability prevents you from performing any other type of work, you may qualify for disability benefits.

Medical Documentation Is Crucial

To strengthen your disability claim, you will need comprehensive medical documentation that shows the severity of your condition. This includes:

• Doctor’s notes: Regular doctor visits and detailed records of your diagnosis, treatment, and progress.
• Medical tests: Any relevant test results, such as MRI scans, X-rays, or blood tests, that support your claim.
• Functional assessments: Statements from your doctor or specialists that describe how your condition affects your ability to work, move, or care for yourself.

Having a detailed letter from your doctor explaining your condition and its impact on your daily life and work abilities can be very helpful in the application process.

The Appeals Process

It’s important to note that many disability claims are denied initially. If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision and provide additional evidence. The process of appealing can be complex, but having an experienced attorney or representative can significantly increase your chances of success.