Step 1: Understand the Two Disability Programs: SSDI and SSI

Before applying, it’s essential to determine which disability program you may qualify for:

• SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): SSDI is for individuals who have worked and paid into Social Security through payroll taxes for a sufficient number of years. Eligibility is based on your work history and the number of work credits you’ve earned.
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income): SSI is a needs-based program for individuals who have limited income and resources, regardless of their work history. SSI benefits are available to those with disabilities who meet the financial criteria set by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Step 2: Meet the SSA’s Definition of Disability

To qualify for either SSDI or SSI in Missouri, your disability must meet the SSA’s strict definition. This means that your condition must be:

• Severe: Your disability must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities, such as standing, walking, sitting, lifting, and concentrating.
• Long-Term: Your disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• Inability to Work: Your condition must prevent you from doing substantial work. In other words, you cannot work or earn above a certain income level, which is called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).

Step 3: Work History and Credits (SSDI)

If you’re applying for SSDI, you must have worked and paid into Social Security for a sufficient number of years to earn the required work credits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled:

• Generally, you need 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years prior to your disability.
• Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits, depending on their age when they become disabled.

Work credits are earned based on the amount of money you earn through employment. In 2025, for example, you earn one work credit for every $1,640 in earnings, and you can earn a maximum of four credits per year.

Step 4: Medical Evidence of Disability

One of the most critical components of your Social Security Disability claim is medical evidence. You must provide documentation from your doctors, hospitals, or clinics that show your disability meets the SSA’s criteria. The SSA evaluates your claim using the Listing of Impairments, which includes conditions that are automatically presumed to be disabling if they meet specific medical criteria.

Here’s how you can strengthen your medical evidence:

• Regular Doctor Visits: Ensure that you see your doctor regularly and follow prescribed treatments. Consistent care will help document the severity of your condition.
• Complete Medical Records: Provide up-to-date records from all your healthcare providers, including test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
• Doctor’s Opinion: A letter from your treating physician detailing how your condition limits your ability to work can be very helpful.

Step 5: Review the SSA’s Disability Evaluation Process

The SSA evaluates your eligibility for disability benefits through a five-step process:

• Step 1: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): If you are working and earning more than a certain amount per month, the SSA may determine that you are not disabled. In 2025, this amount is $1,470 per month ($2,460 for blind individuals).
• Step 2: Severe Condition: Your condition must be severe enough to significantly limit your ability to perform basic work tasks.
• Step 3: Meet a Listed Impairment: If your condition is on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, you may be automatically considered disabled. If it’s not listed, you may still qualify if it’s of equal severity.
• Step 4: Past Work: The SSA will evaluate whether you can still perform any of your previous jobs. If you can’t, they’ll move to the next step.
• Step 5: Other Work: Finally, the SSA will decide whether you can perform any other type of work, considering your age, education, and transferable skills. If you cannot do any other type of work, you may qualify for disability benefits.

Step 6: Financial Eligibility for SSI

If you’re applying for SSI, you must meet certain financial criteria:

• Income Limit: Your income, including wages, Social Security benefits, and other sources, must be below a certain threshold. The limit changes annually.
• Resource Limit: You must have less than $2,000 in assets (or $3,000 for couples). Assets include things like savings, property, and investments, but your home and one car are not counted.

Step 7: Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits

Once you’ve confirmed that you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for Social Security Disability benefits in Missouri. Here are the ways to apply:

• Online: The easiest way to apply is through the SSA’s website at www.ssa.gov. You can fill out the application and submit your medical and work history documentation online.
• In-Person: You can apply by visiting your local Social Security office. Use the SSA’s office locator tool to find the nearest office in Missouri.
• By Phone: Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment to apply by phone.

Make sure to provide all the required information accurately to avoid delays in the processing of your application.

Step 8: Appeal a Denied Claim

It’s common for Social Security Disability claims to be denied at first. If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal process includes the following steps:

• Request Reconsideration: The first step in appealing is to ask the SSA to review your case again. You can submit additional evidence or clarify any discrepancies.
• Request a Hearing: If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is an opportunity to present your case in person.
• Appeal to the Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies your claim, you can ask the SSA’s Appeals Council to review the decision.
• Federal Court: As a final option, you can file a lawsuit in federal court if your claim is denied at all levels of the appeals process.