Navigating the world of Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be overwhelming, especially if you are navigating a serious medical condition. The disability application process involves a plethora of legal terms and medical jargon that can leave you feeling confused, frustrated, and wondering where to turn or how to proceed. To help you better understand the disability application process, below is a list of terms that are beneficial to know and understand.
Regardless of where you are in the disability process, understanding these key terms or phrases will help you proceed more confidently.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or SSD)
SSDI is a federal payroll tax-funded insurance program providing cash benefits to disabled workers and their eligible dependents. Recipients must have a sufficient recent work history and enough work credits from paying Social Security taxes. Benefits are based on past earnings.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a separate federal program that provides financial assistance to disabled individuals (including children) who have little or no income and resources. Unlike SSDI, eligibility for SSI is not based on your work history, but rather on financial need.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
SGA is the standard for determining if a person’s work activity is too substantial and gainful to be considered disabled and therefore qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
Work Credits
Work credits are the units the SSA uses to determine if you’ve worked enough to qualify for SSDI. In 2025, for example, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in wages or self-employment income, up to four credits per year.
Medical Listing (Blue Book)
The SSA’s “Blue Book” lists impairments that are considered severe enough to automatically qualify you for disability benefits. If your condition matches or equals a listing, it may make the approval process faster.
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)
RFC refers to an evaluation of what you’re still able to do despite your medical condition. SSA uses this to determine if you can perform your past work or any other work. It considers things like lifting ability, walking, sitting, and mental functioning.
Onset Date
Your alleged onset date (AOD) is the day you claim your disability began. The established onset date (EOD) is the date the SSA agrees your disability started. This date affects how much back pay you may receive.
Waiting Period
SSD benefits have a 5-month waiting period from your established onset date before payments begin. For example, if SSA agrees that your disability started in January, your first payment would be for June.
Back Pay
If you’re approved for benefits, you may be eligible for back pay, which is the money owed to you from the time your disability began (or your application date) to when you start receiving benefits.
Appeals Process
If your initial application is denied (which happens to most applicants), you have the right to appeal. The four levels of appeal are:
- Reconsideration
- Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
- Appeals Council Review
- Federal Court Review
Understanding these steps can help you be more confident during the process. The legal team at Parmele Disability Advocates is experienced in all levels of the appeal process and is ready to assist you should you have to navigate that process.
Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
Once you receive your disability benefits, this case review is done periodically to ensure you still meet the disability requirements. The frequency of your case being reviewed depends on the likelihood of your condition improving.
Representative Payee
If your disability makes you unable to manage your own benefits, the SSA may assign someone to handle the benefits on your behalf. Many times this representative is a family member.
After this brief review of important SSD terms, you may be thinking, “I can’t make sense of any of these words. How can I file a claim when I don’t understand these things?” This statement (or something similar) is something we hear often. If you are considering filing a disability claim or if you need assistance with a VA disability appeal, your first step should be to contact Parmele Disability Advocates and set up a no-cost consultation. During this appointment, we will review your situation, answer your questions and help you determine your next best steps.
Contact Parmele Disability Advocates today at 866-889-2570 to schedule your no-cost consultation. Our legal team has over 150 years of combined disability experience and has helped 61,000+ individuals receive the disability benefits they deserve.