1. Overview of Disability Programs

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages two disability programs:

• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): For individuals who have worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to earn sufficient work credits
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): A needs-based program for individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of work history

2. Basic Disability Eligibility Rules

To qualify for either SSDI or SSI, you must meet SSA’s definition of disability:

• You must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that:
• Has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 continuous months, or
• Is expected to result in death
• Your condition must prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA), which in 2025 is defined as earning more than $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals or $2,590 for blind individuals

3. SSDI Eligibility Rules in North Carolina

To qualify for SSDI, you must:

• Have earned enough work credits, which depend on your age and work history. Most workers need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years ending the year your disability begins.
• Be “insured” under SSA rules due to your contributions via payroll taxes (FICA).
• Meet medical eligibility under SSA’s strict disability criteria, proving that you cannot perform your past work or any other work due to your condition.

4. SSI Eligibility Rules in North Carolina

SSI eligibility is based on:

• Financial need, with income and resource limits set by SSA. In 2025, your countable resources must be below $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.
• Medical disability criteria identical to SSDI: your condition must prevent you from working at substantial gainful levels.
• No work credit requirement, making SSI accessible for children, elderly individuals, or those without sufficient work history.

5. SSA’s Five-Step Disability Evaluation Process

SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation to determine disability eligibility:

1. Are you working? If you earn above SGA limits, your claim is denied.
2. Is your condition severe? It must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities.
3. Does your condition meet or equal a listed impairment? SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments detailing medical conditions that qualify automatically if criteria are met.
4. Can you perform your past relevant work? SSA assesses whether your condition prevents you from doing any work you performed in the last 15 years.
5. Can you perform other work? SSA evaluates whether you can adjust to other work based on your age, education, and skills. If not, you are considered disabled.

6. Common Conditions Approved for Disability

While any severe impairment may qualify, common approved conditions include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders: Severe back injuries, joint disorders, arthritis
• Neurological disorders: Stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis
• Cardiovascular conditions: Congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease
• Respiratory disorders: COPD, severe asthma
• Mental health disorders: Major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
• Cancer: Depending on type, stage, and treatment impacts

Approval is based not just on diagnosis, but how your condition limits your ability to work.

7. How to Prove Disability Eligibility

To meet SSA’s eligibility rules in North Carolina, you must:

• Provide comprehensive medical evidence, including treatment records, imaging studies, lab results, and doctor’s opinions outlining your functional limitations
• Maintain consistent medical treatment, as gaps in care can weaken your case
• Complete application forms accurately, detailing how your symptoms affect daily activities, self-care, and work-related tasks