# What is the Listing of Impairments (the Blue Book)? Last updated Jul 19, 2026 Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/steward Published by SSDI Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0 — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/license The Listing of Impairments (20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1), informally called the Blue Book, catalogs for each major body system the medical conditions and clinical criteria SSA considers severe enough to prevent any gainful activity. ## What the government has said, on the record > "We find the claimant disabled if his or her impairment meets all of the criteria in one of the listings, or is medically equivalent in severity to a listing." — **Bea Disman**, Acting Chief of Staff, Social Security Administration, [Testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security (hearing on SSA's Listing of Impairments)](https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_090607.html), September 6, 2007. Who said this: - https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/ *Editor's note: Career SSA executive; no Wikipedia article or standalone official bio located* The Listing of Impairments (20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1), informally called the Blue Book, catalogs for each major body system the medical conditions and clinical criteria SSA considers severe enough to prevent any gainful activity. At step 3 of the sequential evaluation, a claimant whose impairment meets or medically equals all the criteria of a listing is found disabled without any consideration of age, education, or work experience; claimants who do not meet a listing can still be found disabled at steps 4-5. Individual listings are updated periodically through rulemaking (not on an annual schedule), so specific listing criteria can change. The Listing of Impairments (20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1), informally called the Blue Book, catalogs for each major body system the medical conditions and clinical criteria SSA considers severe enough to prevent any gainful activity. ## What is the Listing of Impairments (the Blue Book)? At step 3 of the sequential evaluation, a claimant whose impairment meets or medically equals all the criteria of a listing is found disabled without any consideration of age, education, or work experience; claimants who do not meet a listing can still be found disabled at steps 4-5. Individual listings are updated periodically through rulemaking (not on an annual schedule), so specific listing criteria can change. ## Where to verify See the official source cited in the quote block above, and SSA's own program pages at [ssa.gov/disability](https://www.ssa.gov/disability). Program dollar amounts change annually with the cost-of-living adjustment. ## Sources - Testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security, hearing on determining eligibility for disability benefits — https://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_090607.html - SSA — Disability Benefits — https://www.ssa.gov/disability --- Canonical URL: https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/listing-of-impairments-blue-book Publisher: SSDI Direct Answers — a product of Adolicious LLC Published: 2026-07-20T16:21:00+00:00 Modified: 2026-07-19T00:42:55.406164+00:00 License: Citation License 1.0 — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/license © 2026 Adolicious LLC. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: SSDI Direct Answers is a private informational website. It is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any government agency. Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. For official information visit ssa.gov.