Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with unfamiliar government terms and legal language. Understanding what these words mean can make the disability process easier to follow and help you know what to expect at each stage of your claim.
Throughout the disability process, you’ll work with the Social Security Administration (SSA), the federal agency that reviews claims and determines whether applicants qualify for disability benefits.
Whether you’re applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, or appealing a denied claim, this Social Security Disability glossary explains many of the most common disability terms in plain, easy-to-understand language and listed in alphabetical order. Keep this page handy as a quick reference while navigating the disability process.
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
An Administrative Law Judge is the judge who hears your case if Social Security denies your claim and you appeal. The judge listens to your testimony, reviews your medical records, and decides whether you qualify for disability benefits.
Alleged Onset Date (AOD)
Your alleged onset date is the day you claim you became disabled and unable to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses this date to help determine whether you qualify for benefits and how much back pay you may receive. If the AOD equals the Established Onset Date (EOD) found by the SSA, it is a fully favorable decision. If the AOD and EOD are different dates, this is a partially favorable decision.
Appeal
An appeal is when you ask Social Security to look at your case again after a denial. There are several steps in the appeals process, including reconsideration, a hearing before a judge, and additional reviews if needed.
Application Date (Protective Filing Date)
Your application date is the day Social Security first records that you want to apply for benefits. This date can affect when your benefits may begin if your claim is approved.
Back Pay
Back pay is the money you may receive for the months you qualified for benefits before Social Security approved your claim. Not everyone receives back pay, and the amount depends on your case.
Blue Book (Listing of Impairments)
The Blue Book is the Social Security Administration’s official list of medical conditions that may qualify for disability benefits. If your condition meets the requirements in the Blue Book, your claim may be approved more quickly. If it doesn’t, you may still qualify for benefits based on how your condition affects your ability to work.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
A Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is an increase in Social Security benefits to help keep up with rising prices. If the cost of everyday items like food, housing, and gas goes up, Social Security may increase monthly benefit payments.
Compassionate Allowances (CAL)
Compassionate allowances are a list of serious medical conditions that the Social Security Administration can often process and approve more quickly (such as aggressive or advanced cancers and brain disorders).
Concurrent Claim
A concurrent claim is a claim for both Title II (SSDI) and Title XVI (SSI).
Consultative Examination (CE)
A consultative examination is a medical exam that Social Security may schedule if it needs more information about your condition. The exam is paid for by Social Security and is performed by one of its approved doctors.
Date Last Insured (DLI)
Your Date Last Insured is the last day you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance based on your work history. To receive SSDI, you usually must prove you became disabled before this date.
Disability
For Social Security, a disability is a medical condition that keeps you from working enough to support yourself. The condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 continuous months or be expected to result in death.
Note: Â It is important to understand that those 12 months must be ongoing or have already passed before you apply for Social Security Disability benefits. They also may qualify if it is highly likely that they will be expected to be unemployed for the next 12 months.
Disability Determination Services (DDS)
Disability Determination Services is the state office that reviews your disability application for Social Security. It collects your medical records, may ask you to see one of its doctors, and decides whether you meet the rules for disability benefits.
Established Onset Date (EOD)
Your Established Onset Date is the date the Social Security Administration potentially found you disabled and unable to work. If the AOD (Alleged Onset Date) equals the EOD, it is a fully favorable decision. If the AOD and EOD are different dates, this is a partially favorable decision.
Five-Step Sequential Evaluation
The five-step sequential evaluation is the list of five questions Social Security uses to decide if someone is disabled. In general, the following five questions are considered:
- Are you working and earning substantial wages?
- Is your condition severe?
- Is your condition on the list of impairments (i.e., the Blue Book)?
- Can you do your past relevant work?
- Can you do any other type of work?
Listing of Impairments
The listing of impairments is another name for the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book, the SSA’s official list of medical conditions that may qualify for disability benefits.
Medical Evidence of Record (MER)
Medical evidence of record includes your doctor’s notes, test results, hospital records, treatment history, and other health information. The Social Security Administration uses this information to decide if you qualify for disability benefits.
Medical Expert (ME)
A disability Medical Expert (ME) is an independent physician or psychologist who testifies at Social Security Administration disability hearings. The Administrative Law Judge hires the ME to review files, explain complex health issues, and give an objective opinion on whether a claimant’s condition meets official disability rules.
Medical-Vocational Allowance (The GRIDS or a Grid allowance)
A medical-vocational (grid) allowance means Social Security decides you cannot do your past work—or adjust to other work—because of your age, education, work history, and medical condition, even if your condition is not on one of its official disability listings.
Past Relevant Work (PRW)
Past relevant work is the work you have done in the last five years that lasted long enough for you to learn the job. Social Security looks at these jobs when deciding whether you can still work.
Presumptive Disability (PD)
Presumptive disability is a temporary payment status that allows some people applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to receive temporary monthly payments while the Social Security Administration finishes reviewing their disability claim. It is only available for certain very serious medical conditions that are highly likely to qualify for disability. Examples include total blindness, total deafness, or the loss of speech.
Reconsideration
Reconsideration is the first appeal after a disability claim is denied. A different disability examiner reviews your case and any new medical evidence before making another decision.
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)
Your residual functional capacity is what the Social Security Adminsitration believes you can still do, even with your medical condition. Things such as how long you can sit, stand, walk, lift, remember information, and stay focused are often considered in an RFC assessment.
Mental residual functional capacity (MRFC) is a Social Security Administration assessment of your capacity to perform work-related mental and cognitive tasks despite your psychological limitations.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the government agency that manages Social Security benefits. It reviews disability claims, decides who qualifies for benefits, and sends monthly payments to people who are approved.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
Substantial Gainful Activity is the amount of money you can earn each month and still qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The monthly SGA amount for legally blind people for 2026 is $2,830. For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2026 is $1,690.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance is a monthly benefit for people who have worked, paid Social Security taxes, and become disabled before reaching retirement age.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income is a monthly benefit for people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, SSI does not require a long work history. In 2026, the Federal maximum monthly SSI benefit amount is $994 for an eligible individual, $1,491 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $498 for an essential person.
Title II Disability Case
Title II Disability, or regular Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), is something you pay into through payroll taxes. When you look at your check you will see either a FICA or Old Age Survivor’s Disability Insurance (OASDI for short) deduction. If you have a Title II case, then what you own or have does not matter as long as you are applying for a benefit for which you’ve contributed throughout your working life.
Title XVI Disability Case
Title XVI, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), is a hardship or poverty program. This program is for people who have not worked enough or recently enough to qualify for Social Security Disability or Title II, and are poor enough to qualify due to a lack of assets or resources.
Trial Work Period (TWP)
A trial work period lets many people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) test their ability to return to work without immediately losing their benefits, as long as they follow Social Security’s rules. In 2026, a TWP is triggered once earnings reach $1,210 per month gross.
Vocational Expert  (VE)
A vocational expert is a job specialist who may testify during a disability hearing. They answer questions about the types of work someone might still be able to perform based on their medical limitations.
Work Credits
Work credits are earned by working and paying Social Security taxes. There are specific levels of work credits (based on your age) needed to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The correct amount of work credits in the correct time period determines insured status for SSDI.
Work Incentives
Work incentives are special Social Security Administration rules that let some people try returning to work without immediately losing their disability benefits. These programs are designed to help people become more independent while keeping important benefits during the transition. Examples of work incentives are the Trial Work Period and the Ticket to Work Program.
You Don’t Have to Navigate the Process Alone
Learning the language of Social Security Disability is an important first step, but understanding how those rules apply to your own situation can be much more challenging. Whether you’re applying for disability benefits for the first time or appealing a denied claim, the experienced Social Security Disability attorneys at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin can answer your questions and help you understand your options.
Call us at 1-866-900-7078 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
