SSDI Eligibility: Early Application Process Explained
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2010/05/25 - Updated: 2026/02/04
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Insurance - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides practical guidance on navigating the initial stages of Social Security Disability Insurance applications, written by world renowned disability advocate Ian C. Langtree for those seeking benefits. The piece breaks down how state-level Disability Determination Services - not the Social Security Administration directly - make initial eligibility decisions, and clarifies the roles of disability examiners and medical consultants in reviewing claims. For people with disabilities who may face up to 75% denial rates on first applications, understanding this multi-tiered process helps set realistic expectations and highlights why professional legal assistance often proves valuable when pursuing benefits that many disabled individuals depend on for financial survival - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Eligibility and Early Stages of the SSDI Claim Process
Most social security disability claimants have neither the knowledge nor the understanding of how the SSDI claims process works, hence the need for the assistance of an experienced disability attorney in order to help you with the early stages of the SSDI claims process. There are numerous questions that claimants need answered when they are at this stage of the process, one of which is who actually determines whether your medical condition has disabled you to the extent that you can no longer work and perform everyday tasks.
Ironically, whether or not you are eligible and qualify for SSDI benefits is not determined by the SSA or one of their adjudicators. This responsibility normally falls into the hands of a 3rd party or outside agency in your state, and they will determine if you do qualify for benefits at this stage in the application and claims process. This portion of the process follows your claim for a disability classification.
Main Content
So, how does the eligibility determination process work?
One of the most common questions we are asked is "who determines whether or not I am eligible for SSDI benefits".
The agency in your state that normally makes this determination is known as the Disability Determination Service. They are responsible for making the initial decision where your disability benefits are concerned once you have been diagnosed with a disabling medical or mental condition. Interestingly enough, the Federal Government's laws and regulations which govern eligibility are the same as those of your home state.
Once the decision has been made by the state authority reviewing your claim it is then forwarded to the Social Security Administration who will eventually contact you regarding the decision on your claim. It is up to the state authority to initially determine and confirm whether or not you have been rendered disabled and unable to work based on the medical and/or mental condition you are suffering with.
The next question we are normally asked is who is responsible for rendering the final decision on my claim?
A DE or Disability Examiner is the person that this responsibility falls on the shoulders of. The DE normally works hand in hand with a Medical Consultant when reviewing your case. Initially, these are the people involved in the determination of eligibility process where you SSDI claim is concerned.
Just remember that up to 75% of the initial applications get denied, so don't let this discourage you.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: While the bureaucratic machinery behind SSDI determinations can feel impersonal and frustratingly opaque, knowing that your initial claim passes through state agency hands before reaching federal reviewers helps explain the process delays and communication gaps many applicants experience. The high rejection rate at the first stage isn't necessarily a reflection of claim validity but rather a systemic feature of a process designed with multiple review layers. For anyone facing a denial, remember that appeals exist precisely because the system acknowledges its own fallibility - persistence, thorough medical documentation, and informed advocacy remain your strongest tools in securing the benefits you've earned through years of paying into the system - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.