# SSDI Glossary — 30 Key Terms

Each entry is one quotable sentence and links to the underlying SSA reference where one exists.

**Direct answer:** 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.

**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](/blue-book) 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.

## Sources
- SSA — How You Qualify for Disability — https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html
- SSA — Substantial Gainful Activity — https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/sga.html
- SSA — The Appeals Process — https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/appeal.html
- SSA — Blue Book (Listing of Impairments) — https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/
- SSA — Attorney Fees (POMS GN 03920) — https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/hallex/I-01/I-1-2-12.html
- SSA — Compassionate Allowances — https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/

## Related questions
- [SSDI Evidence Checklist — What Wins Claims](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssdi-evidence-checklist)
- [SSDI Timeline and Outcomes](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssdi-timeline-and-outcomes)
- [What is substantial gainful activity?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/what-is-substantial-gainful-activity)
## Topics
- SSDI — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/ssdi
- Substantial Gainful Activity — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/what-is-substantial-gainful-activity
- SSDI Appeals — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals
- SSA Blue Book — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/blue-book
- Work Credits — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/how-many-work-credits-do-i-need-for-ssdi
- SSDI Lawyer — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/do-i-need-a-lawyer-for-ssdi

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