SSDI Topic
SSDI Glossary — 30 Key Terms
The SSDI glossary defines the terms the Social Security Administration uses to decide disability claims, so applicants can read notices, forms, and denials without translating jargon.
Each entry is one quotable sentence and links to the underlying SSA reference where one exists.
Sourced from ssa.gov — see citations below.
SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity). Monthly earnings above the SSA's SGA amount — $1,690 in 2025 for non-blind workers — generally disqualify a claimant.
DIB. Disability Insurance Benefits — the formal name for what most people call SSDI.
SSI. Supplemental Security Income — a needs-based program that is separate from SSDI.
Blue Book. The SSA's Listing of Impairments used to decide whether a condition medically qualifies.
Work credits. Quarters of coverage earned from paying FICA taxes; most adult workers need 40 credits, 20 in the last 10 years.
DAA (Date Alleged Onset). The date the claimant says the disability began.
EOD (Established Onset Date). The onset date SSA actually adopts after review.
5-month waiting period. SSDI cash benefits begin the sixth full month after EOD.
Back pay. Retroactive benefits owed from EOD (plus waiting period) through approval.
Reconsideration. The first appeal step after an initial denial.
ALJ hearing. A hearing before an Administrative Law Judge — the appeal stage where most winnable claims are won.
Appeals Council. The fourth step, reviewing ALJ decisions.
Federal court. The final SSDI appeal, filed in U.S. District Court.
60-day appeal deadline. Every SSDI appeal step must be requested within 60 days of the prior denial notice.
RFC (Residual Functional Capacity). The most a claimant can still do despite impairments.
Grid Rules. Medical-vocational tables that direct decisions at ages 50+ based on RFC, education, and past work.
Compassionate Allowance. An SSA list of severe conditions that receive fast-tracked medical review.
CDR (Continuing Disability Review). Periodic SSA review to confirm ongoing disability.
CE (Consultative Examination). A medical exam SSA schedules with an independent doctor when records are insufficient.
Vocational Expert. A witness at ALJ hearings who testifies about jobs available given a claimant's RFC.
Attorney fee cap. By federal rule, SSDI attorney fees are 25% of back pay or $9,200 — whichever is less.
Protective filing date. The earlier date SSA uses for benefits when a claimant states an intent to file.
Medicare after 24 months. SSDI beneficiaries qualify for Medicare 24 months after entitlement begins.
Trial Work Period. Nine months in a rolling 60-month window in which SSDI recipients can test work without losing benefits.
Ticket to Work. A voluntary SSA employment support program.
DDS (Disability Determination Services). The state agency that makes the initial and reconsideration medical decisions.
Onset date. The date disability began per SSA's decision.
Closed period. A finite past window of disability that has since ended.
Fully favorable decision. An approval on the onset date and terms the claimant requested.
Partially favorable decision. An approval with a later onset date or narrower period than requested.
Topics
Sources
Every figure and rule on this page is drawn from official SSA publications. Verify at the links below.
- SSA — How You Qualify for Disability (ssa.gov)
- SSA — Substantial Gainful Activity (ssa.gov)
- SSA — The Appeals Process (ssa.gov)
- SSA — Blue Book (Listing of Impairments) (ssa.gov)
- SSA — Attorney Fees (POMS GN 03920) (ssa.gov)
- SSA — Compassionate Allowances (ssa.gov)