What Are SSDI and SSI?

Before diving into how back injuries affect your eligibility, it’s important to understand the two main types of disability benefits:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): SSDI is for people who have worked and paid into Social Security for a certain number of years. To qualify, you must have earned enough work credits based on your age and work history.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI is a need-based program designed for individuals who have limited income and assets. You do not need to have a work history to qualify for SSI, but you must have a severe medical condition and limited financial resources.

SSA’s Definition of Disability

In order to qualify for SSDI or SSI, you must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability. To be considered disabled, your severe back injury must prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA) for at least 12 months. This means you must be unable to do your previous job or any other type of work due to your back injury.

A back injury that affects your ability to perform basic physical tasks like standing, sitting, walking, or lifting could qualify you for disability benefits. If your injury is severe enough to prevent you from working for a prolonged period, you may meet the SSA’s disability criteria.

How the SSA Evaluates Back Injuries for Disability Benefits

The SSA evaluates all claims based on the Listing of Impairments, which includes a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify for disability benefits if they meet certain severity criteria. Back injuries are typically evaluated under the musculoskeletal disorders category, specifically under disorders of the spine.

Some common back injuries that may qualify for disability benefits include:

• Herniated or Bulging Discs: These conditions occur when the soft tissue between the vertebrae in your spine bulges or ruptures, putting pressure on nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
• Spinal Stenosis: This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain and difficulty walking.
• Sciatica: This refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, typically caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or narrowing of the spine. Sciatica can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and legs.
• Spondylolisthesis: This occurs when one vertebra slips out of place, putting pressure on the nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the back or legs.
• Chronic Back Pain: If you suffer from chronic back pain that limits your ability to work or engage in daily activities, it may be considered a disabling condition.

For your claim to be successful, the SSA must find that your back injury prevents you from performing basic work activities for a long period of time.

What You Need to Prove for SSDI or SSI with a Severe Back Injury

To qualify for SSDI or SSI due to a severe back injury, you need to provide the SSA with solid medical evidence. This evidence must show that your injury is severe enough to prevent you from working. Here’s what you should provide:

• Complete Medical Records: Include X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans that show the extent of your injury. These records should detail the nature of your back injury and how it limits your mobility.
• Doctor’s Statements: A statement from your doctor or orthopedic specialist explaining how your back injury affects your ability to work can significantly strengthen your case. The doctor should describe the limitations the injury causes, such as your inability to sit, stand, or lift for extended periods.
• Physical Therapy or Treatment Records: If you have undergone physical therapy or any form of pain management treatment (e.g., injections, medications, surgeries), include records that show the steps you’ve taken to manage your pain and the results of those treatments.
• Functional Limitations: You will need to demonstrate how your back injury limits your daily activities and ability to work. This includes showing that you cannot perform essential tasks like standing for long periods, lifting heavy objects, or walking for extended distances.

SSA’s Five-Step Evaluation Process

The SSA evaluates disability claims using a five-step process to determine if you meet their criteria. Here’s a quick overview of how the process works for a back injury:



• Step 1: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): If you are working and earning more than a specific monthly income threshold (for 2025, this amount is $1,470 per month), you will not be considered disabled.
• Step 2: Severe Impairment: The SSA will determine whether your back injury is severe enough to limit your ability to perform basic work activities. Chronic pain, mobility issues, or nerve damage from your back injury could meet this requirement.
• Step 3: Meeting or Equaling a Listing: If your condition matches the SSA’s Listing of Impairments for back injuries (musculoskeletal disorders, spinal conditions), you will be found disabled automatically.
• Step 4: Past Work: The SSA will evaluate whether your back injury prevents you from doing your previous job. If you can still perform your past work despite your injury, you may be denied.
• Step 5: Other Work: If you cannot perform your past work, the SSA will assess whether you can do any other type of work considering your age, education, work experience, and residual functional capacity (RFC). If the SSA determines you can perform any other job, you may be denied.