When you apply for
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Social Security Administration (SSA) follows a
5-step sequential evaluation process to decide whether you are disabled.
One of the earliest — and most critical — steps is determining whether you have at least
one “severe impairment.” If SSA decides your impairments are
not severe, your case can be denied right away, without moving forward.
Understanding what counts as a severe impairment — and what does not — is essential to building a strong disability case.
What Does “Severe Impairment” Mean?
A
severe impairment is any medical condition that:
Significantly limits your ability to perform basic work activities for at least 12 months.
This applies to both physical and mental impairments.
Basic work activities include things like:
- Standing, walking, lifting, carrying
- Pushing, pulling, bending, reaching
- Following instructions
- Concentrating and staying on task
- Handling stress
- Seeing, hearing, and speaking
If your medical condition causes
more than minimal limitations in these areas, SSA may consider it severe.
The Severity Threshold Is Lower Than Most People Think
The severity standard is intentionally
not very high.
SSA defines a condition as “non-severe” only if it causes
no more than a minimal effect on your ability to function at work.
So, the key question is:
Does your condition cause more than a minimal limitation?
If yes → it’s likely severe.
If no → SSA may deny your claim at Step 2.
You Only Need One Severe Impairment to Move Forward
Even if some of your impairments are considered
non-severe, your claim still advances as long as
at least one impairment is severe.
Once severity is established, SSA must consider
all impairments — severe and non-severe — together when determining your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC).
This can be critical in cases with multiple moderate issues.
Examples of Conditions Commonly Considered Severe
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Severe arthritis
- Heart disease
- COPD
- Diabetes with complications
- Fibromyalgia
- Major depressive disorder
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Neuropathy
- Autoimmune disorders
- Migraines (when frequent and function-limiting)
The key is
not the diagnosis itself, but how much it limits your functioning.
Medical Evidence Is Essential to Prove Severity
SSA requires
objective medical evidence, such as:
- Imaging (MRI, CT, X-ray)
- Lab results
- Clinical exam findings
- Treatment notes
- Specialist evaluations
- Mental health therapy notes
Simply reporting symptoms is not enough. The impairment must be
medically determinable.
Mental Health Claims and Severity
Mental impairments are evaluated based on
functional limitations in areas such as:
- Understanding and remembering instructions
- Staying focused
- Managing pace and persistence
- Handling stress or social interaction
If symptoms cause more than mild limitations in one or more areas, the condition may be considered
severe.
Temporary Conditions Do Not Qualify as Severe
Your condition must:
✔ Last at least
12 months, OR
✔ Be expected to last that long
Short-term injuries or illnesses usually do not meet severity requirements, even if painful or inconvenient.
Why Establishing Severity Matters So Much
1. Your Case Can Be Denied at
Step 2
If SSA decides none of your impairments are severe → the claim ends there.
2. All Later Steps Depend on Severity
Your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC), Step 4, and Step 5 outcomes all rely on having a severe impairment.
3. Severity Supports Credibility
Severe impairment findings reinforce that your conditions meaningfully affect your life and work.
Common Reasons SSA Says an Impairment Is Not Severe
- Lack of regular medical treatment
- Minimal documentation
- Normal exam findings
- Symptoms controlled with medication
- Long gaps in care
- Mild mental health observations
- Conditions that improved quickly
This is why
consistent treatment is critical.
How to Strengthen Your Severity Findings
To improve your chances:
- Treat regularly with qualified providers
- Follow medical advice
- Document worsening symptoms
- Be honest and consistent
- Attend consultative exams
- Obtain specialist opinions when possible
A
Medical Source Statement can also help clarify functional limits.
Final Thoughts: Severe Impairments Are the Foundation of Your Claim
Proving at least one
severe impairment is the gateway to a successful Social Security Disability case. While the severity standard is relatively low, SSA requires strong medical documentation and clear evidence that your condition affects your ability to function at work.
At
Crossroads Disability, we help clients nationwide build strong disability cases from the ground up — including establishing severity and documenting functional limitations.
If you’re applying or appealing a denial, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
