Social Security performs a five-step process to determine if an traumatic brain injury qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance.

1. Social Security Disability and
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Social Security performs a five-step process to
determine if an traumatic brain injury qualifies for
Social Security Disability Insurance:
1. Determine if an individual is "working” according to the SSA definition. Earning more than $1,010 a
month as an employee is enough to be disqualified from receiving Social Security disability benefits.
2. Conclude the traumatic brain injury disability must be severe enough to significantly limit one’s
ability to perform basic work activities needed to do most jobs.
3. Ask if the traumatic brain injury disability meets or equals a medical listing. TBI may result in
neurological and mental impairments with a wide variety of posttraumatic symptoms and signs.
The rate and extent of recovery can be highly variable and the long-term outcome may be difficult to
predict in the first few months post-injury. If a finding of disability still is not possible at that
time, adjudication of the claim will again be deferred until evidence is obtained at least 6 months post-
injury. At that time, any neurological and mental impairment is fully evaluated and the claim is
adjudicated.
4. Explore the ability of an individual to perform work they have done in the past despite their
traumatic brain injury. If the SSA finds that a person can do his past work, benefits are denied. If the
person cannot, then the process proceeds to the fifth and final step.
5. Review age, education, work experience and physical/mental condition to determine what other
work, if any, the person can perform.
An individual must, on a sustained basis, be able to understand, remember and carry out simple
instructions; make simple work-related decisions; respond appropriately to supervision, co-workers,
usual work situations and to deal with changes in a routine work setting.
A substantial loss of ability to meet any one of these basic work-related activities would severely limit
the potential occupational base for all age groups and justify a finding of disabled.
Aren’t sure if you qualify for SSDI? Complete Allsup’s short form now to request a no-cost, no obligation
evaluation to determine your eligibility for Social Security disability.