Nonmedical requirements

Nonmedical requirements for SSDI and SSI are those which have nothing to do with the claimant's medical eligibility or their health condition. They specifically have to do with the financial and legal requirements outlined for each program.

The main barrier to receiving both SSDI and SSI benefits is that claimants cannot work and make too much money. For SSDI, claimants must have a specific number of work credits to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. For SSI, claimants must have limited income and resources. In addition, if a non-U.S. citizen is applying for SSI, the SSA will look to see if the applicant is in a qualifying alien category. If a claimant does not meet the nonmedical requirements for SSI or SSDI benefits they will receive a denial notice which is called a technical denial.

Nonmedical requirements are evaluated by a SSA representative at the local Social Security Office. Medical denials are reviewed at the disability determination offices (DDS) later in the disability evaluation process.