Disability Glossary: Social Security, SSI, SSDI & Veterans Benefits Terms
Understanding disability benefits can be confusing, especially when Social Security, SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, and VA programs use unfamiliar terms and abbreviations. This Disability Glossary provides simple explanations of common disability terms to help applicants, beneficiaries, caregivers, and families better understand the disability benefits process.
Click a term below to learn more. You can also use the alphabetical menu to jump directly to a section.
A
Acceptable Medical Sources
Medical professionals Social Security recognizes as qualified sources for establishing the existence of a medically determinable impairment. Depending on the claim and condition, acceptable medical sources may include licensed physicians, psychologists, certain advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and other qualified medical professionals.
Activities of Daily Living
Everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, cleaning, shopping, driving, managing money, socializing, and caring for others. Social Security may consider how a person's medical conditions affect these activities when evaluating a disability claim.
Administrative Law Judge
An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) conducts Social Security disability hearings and issues decisions after reviewing medical evidence, testimony, work history, and other evidence in the claim.
Age 18 Redetermination (SSI)
A disability redetermination generally required when a child receiving SSI based on disability reaches age 18. Social Security evaluates the individual using the adult disability standard rather than the childhood disability rules.
Appeals Council
The Social Security administrative appeal level that generally follows an Administrative Law Judge decision. The Appeals Council may deny review, grant review, issue a decision, or return a case to an ALJ for additional proceedings.
Appeals Hearing
A Social Security disability hearing before an Administrative Law Judge where a claimant may testify about medical conditions, limitations, work history, and daily functioning. Vocational or medical experts may also testify.
B
Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool
An online Social Security screening resource designed to help people identify benefits for which they may potentially qualify based on information they provide.
Blind Work Expense
A Blind Work Expense (BWE) is a qualifying work expense that may be deducted from earned income when Social Security calculates countable income for an SSI recipient who is blind.
Blue Book
The common nickname for Social Security's Listing of Impairments. The Blue Book contains medical criteria used to evaluate severe physical and mental impairments during the disability determination process.
C
Closed Period
A period of disability with a definite beginning and ending date. A claimant may potentially qualify for disability benefits for a closed period when the applicable disability and duration requirements are satisfied even though the claimant later medically improves or returns to work.
Compassionate Allowance
Social Security's Compassionate Allowances program identifies certain diseases and medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security's standards for disability, allowing qualifying claims to be identified and processed quickly.
Consultative Exam
A medical or psychological examination Social Security may arrange when the existing medical evidence isn't sufficient to make a disability determination. Social Security pays for the examination.
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
An annual adjustment that may increase Social Security and SSI benefit amounts to account for inflation, based on the applicable federal formula.
D
Date First Insured
The date a worker first satisfies Social Security's insured-status requirements for a particular benefit based on sufficient covered work and Social Security credits.
Date Last Insured
The Date Last Insured (DLI) is generally the last date a worker meets the insured status requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance. For SSDI, disability generally must be established on or before the applicable DLI.
Decision Notice
A written notice explaining Social Security's decision on a claim or appeal, including important information about the determination and applicable appeal rights.
Dire Need Letter
A written request explaining circumstances of severe financial hardship or other qualifying circumstances and asking Social Security to consider expedited handling under its applicable dire-need procedures.
Direct Deposit
Electronic payment of Social Security or SSI benefits directly into an eligible bank, credit union, or other approved account.
Disability Determination Services (DDS)
State agencies that work with Social Security to make medical disability determinations at certain stages of SSDI and SSI claims.
Disability Examiner
A disability claims professional who reviews evidence and helps develop and evaluate disability claims at Disability Determination Services.
District Offices
Social Security offices serving geographic areas and assisting the public with applications, benefit issues, records, appeals, and other Social Security matters.
Documentation
Records and other evidence used to establish eligibility or support a disability claim, such as medical records, test results, employment records, financial information, forms, and statements.
E
Early Retirement
Social Security retirement benefits claimed before full retirement age. Starting retirement benefits early generally results in a reduced monthly retirement benefit.
Exertional Capacity
A person's ability to perform strength-related work activities such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
Exertional Impairment
A medically determinable impairment that causes limitations affecting the strength-related demands of work, such as lifting, carrying, standing, walking, pushing, or pulling.
Exhibit File
The organized evidence and documents associated with a Social Security disability case at the hearing level, which may include medical records, forms, prior determinations, and other evidence.
F
Federal Benefit Rate
The Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) is the maximum federal SSI payment amount before adjustments for countable income, living arrangements, and other applicable rules.
Federal District Court
A federal court where a claimant may seek judicial review of a final Social Security decision after completing the applicable administrative appeal process.
Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)
The federal law authorizing payroll taxes that help fund Social Security and Medicare. Employees commonly see FICA-related deductions on their paychecks.
Field Offices
Local Social Security offices that assist the public with benefit applications, reporting changes, replacement documents, appeals, eligibility questions, and other Social Security services.
Full Retirement
Social Security retirement benefits associated with reaching full retirement age. Full retirement age varies based on a person's year of birth.
G
Government Pension Offset
A former Social Security provision that reduced certain spouse or surviving-spouse benefits for people receiving pensions from government employment not covered by Social Security. The Social Security Fairness Act repealed the Government Pension Offset for benefits payable after December 2023.
H
Health Insurance
Coverage that helps pay eligible medical expenses. Disability beneficiaries may potentially qualify for programs such as Medicare or Medicaid depending on the benefit received and other eligibility requirements.
Heavy Work
A physical exertional level used by Social Security when classifying work. Heavy work generally involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
I
Income and Asset Limitations for SSI
SSI is a needs-based program with financial eligibility requirements. Countable income and resources must remain within applicable limits, although Social Security excludes certain income and resources under its rules.
In-Kind Support and Maintenance
In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) generally refers to certain food or shelter received from another person that may be considered when determining an SSI recipient's payment under applicable rules.
Insured Status
A worker's eligibility status for certain Social Security benefits based on the number and timing of Social Security work credits earned through covered employment or self-employment.
L
Lawful Alien Status
A person's immigration status under U.S. law. Noncitizens must satisfy specific Social Security program requirements to qualify for certain benefits.
Lifetime Earnings (Earnings Record)
The history of earnings reported to Social Security under a worker's record. Earnings records are used in determining insured status and calculating certain Social Security benefits.
Light Work
A Social Security exertional classification generally involving lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds, along with other requirements described in SSA regulations.
Lump Sum Death Payment
A one-time Social Security death payment that may be payable to an eligible spouse or child of a deceased insured worker when Social Security's requirements are met.
M
Maximum Earnings
Depending on context, maximum earnings may refer to Social Security's annual taxable maximum—the amount of earnings subject to the Social Security portion of payroll taxes for a particular year.
Maximum Sustained Work Capability
The highest level of work activity a person can perform on a regular and continuing basis despite limitations caused by medically determinable impairments.
Medicaid
A joint federal and state health coverage program for eligible people. SSI recipients may qualify for Medicaid under rules that vary by state.
Medical Expert
A qualified medical professional who may provide impartial expert testimony or medical opinions for Social Security during the disability adjudication process.
Medicare
Federal health insurance available to eligible individuals, including certain people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance after satisfying applicable requirements and waiting periods.
Medium Work
A Social Security exertional classification generally involving lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
N
Nutrition Assistance Program
Government programs that help eligible households purchase food. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the primary federal nutrition-assistance program administered through states.
O
OASDI (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance)
The federal Social Security insurance program that provides retirement, survivors, and disability benefits to eligible workers and certain family members.
Office of Disability Adjudication & Review (ODAR)
The former name for the Social Security component responsible for hearings and appeals. It was renamed the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) as part of SSA's organizational changes.
Office of General Counsel
Social Security's legal office, which provides legal advice, representation, and other legal services to the agency.
Overpayment
An overpayment occurs when Social Security determines that a beneficiary received more money than they were entitled to receive. Appeal and waiver rights may be available depending on the circumstances.
P
Payment Dates for Social Security
The schedule Social Security uses to issue monthly benefits. Payment dates can depend on the type of benefit, date of birth, and when entitlement began.
Payment Dates of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is generally paid on the first day of each month. When the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payment is generally issued on the preceding business day.
Presumed Maximum Value (PMV)
A valuation rule Social Security may use in certain SSI situations involving countable in-kind support and maintenance. The PMV can limit the amount of support counted under the applicable rules.
Protective Filing Date
A date Social Security may use to protect an earlier filing date when a person contacts SSA or takes another qualifying action indicating an intent to file for benefits and subsequently completes the application requirements.
Q
Quarters of Coverage
Social Security credits earned through covered work. Quarters of Coverage are used to determine insured status for benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance, retirement, and survivors benefits.
R
Representative Payee
A person or organization appointed by Social Security to receive and manage Social Security or SSI benefits for a beneficiary who is unable to manage or direct the management of their own benefits.
Request for Reconsideration
A request asking Social Security to review an initial determination. Reconsideration is generally the first administrative appeal level for disability claims in states where the reconsideration step applies.
Residual Functional Capacity
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is Social Security's assessment of the most a person can still do despite limitations caused by medically determinable impairments.
Retroactive Benefits
Benefits potentially payable for certain months before an application or award, depending on the benefit program, filing date, established onset date, waiting period, and other eligibility rules.
S
Sedentary Work
A Social Security exertional classification generally involving lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time, occasionally lifting or carrying small articles, and primarily sitting with certain walking and standing requirements.
Self-Employment Income
Income earned from operating a business, trade, profession, or other self-employed activity. Social Security has special rules for evaluating self-employment income for taxes, benefits, and disability work activity.
Skilled Work
Work requiring qualifications in which a person uses judgment to determine machine and manual operations or performs other duties requiring a relatively high level of occupational skill.
Social Security
A federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides retirement, disability, and survivors benefits to eligible workers and families and administers the Supplemental Security Income program.
Social Security Regional Offices
Regional Social Security offices that support and oversee SSA operations within designated geographic areas of the United States.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
A federal disability insurance program for eligible workers who have sufficient Social Security work credits and meet Social Security's definition of disability.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A federal needs-based program that provides monthly payments to eligible people who are aged, blind, or disabled and who meet applicable income and resource requirements.
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
A level of work activity and earnings Social Security uses when evaluating disability. SSA generally updates the SGA earnings amounts annually, with a separate amount for individuals who are statutorily blind.
Survivors' Benefits
Social Security benefits that may be payable to certain eligible family members after the death of an insured worker.
T
Technical Denial
A denial based on a nonmedical eligibility requirement rather than a determination that the claimant's medical condition isn't disabling. Examples can involve insured status, income, resources, or other program requirements.
Title II Benefits (SSDI)
Social Security benefits authorized under Title II of the Social Security Act, including disability insurance benefits for eligible insured workers and certain related family benefits.
Title XVI Benefits (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income benefits authorized under Title XVI of the Social Security Act for eligible people who are aged, blind, or disabled and meet applicable financial requirements.
Trial Work Period
An SSDI work incentive that allows eligible beneficiaries to test their ability to work for a limited number of trial work months while generally continuing to receive SSDI benefits, subject to Social Security's rules.
Transferable Skills
Work skills acquired from past skilled or semiskilled work that can potentially be used to meet the requirements of other jobs. Transferability can be relevant during Social Security's vocational evaluation.
U
Underpayment
An underpayment occurs when Social Security determines that a beneficiary received less money than they were entitled to receive for a particular period.
Unskilled Worker
A worker whose past work involved unskilled duties requiring little or no judgment to perform simple tasks that can generally be learned in a short period of time.
Urgent Case Request
A request asking Social Security to consider expedited case handling because of circumstances that may qualify for priority processing under SSA procedures, such as certain dire-need situations.
V
Veterans Disability Benefits
Benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for qualifying veterans with disabilities connected to military service. VA disability compensation uses different eligibility rules from Social Security Disability.
Vocational Expert
A vocational professional who may provide impartial testimony at a Social Security disability hearing about past work, occupational requirements, transferable skills, and whether jobs may exist for a hypothetical person with specified limitations.
W
Waiting Period
For SSDI disability insurance benefits, federal law generally provides a five-full- calendar-month waiting period before cash disability benefits can begin, subject to applicable exceptions.
Work Credits
Credits earned through work and payment of Social Security taxes. The number of credits required for SSDI depends partly on the worker's age and when disability begins.
Workers' Compensation
Benefits provided under federal or state workers' compensation programs for qualifying work-related injuries or illnesses. Certain workers' compensation and other public disability benefits can affect SSDI payments under applicable Social Security rules.
Learn More About Disability Benefits
DisabilityTips.org provides plain-language guides about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability appeals, medical evidence, work incentives, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans disability benefits, and other programs that may help people with disabilities and their families.
Use the linked glossary terms above to explore our detailed guides and learn how each term may apply during the disability benefits process.
Disclaimer
DisabilityTips.org provides general educational and informational content only. The information on this page is not legal, medical, financial, or benefits advice. Social Security, SSI, SSDI, VA, Medicare, Medicaid, and other government program rules can change. Always verify current eligibility requirements, benefit amounts, deadlines, and program rules with the appropriate government agency or a qualified professional.
Last reviewed: October 23, 2026
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