5-Step Sequential Evaluation Process for Assessing Disability

At the first step, SSA considers an individual’s work activity, if any. SGA stands for Substantial Gainful Activity and the amount changes each year. For 2026 it is $1690 for the non-blind and $2830 for the blind. If an individual is working and his or her earnings average more than the SGA limit a month, then he or she is found not disabled. If an individual is not working or his or her earnings are less than SGA, the adjudicator goes to step two.

At the second step, we consider the medical severity of an individual’s impairment(s). An individual must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or a combination of impairments) that is severe and meets the duration requirement. To be severe an impairment or impairments must interfere with basic work-related activities. To meet the duration requirement the impairment(s) must be expected to last twelve months or to result in death If the impairment(s) are not severe or do not meet the duration requirement, the individual is found not disabled. If the impairment(s) are severe and meet the duration requirement, the adjudicator goes to question three.

At the third step, we also consider the medical severity of an individual’s impairment(s). SSA maintains a listing of medical criteria that are considered to be so severe that an individual is found to be disabled if his or her medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) matches them. An individual’s impairment(s) can be found to meet the listed criteria exactly or to be of equal severity. If an individual has an impairment that meets or equals one of the listings and meets the duration requirement, he or she is found to be disabled. If an individual does not have an impairment that meets or equals one of the listings or the duration requirement is not met, the adjudicator goes to Step 4. However, before going from step three to step four, the individual’s residual functional capacity (RFC) is assessed.  This RFC assessment is then used at both step four and step five.

At step 4 a function-by-function comparison of the individual’s RFC and past relevant work (PRW) is completed. If an individual retains the physical and mental capacity to perform any PRW, he/she Is found not disabled. If no PRW can be done, or the individual has no relevant work, the adjudicator goes to step five.

At the fifth and last step, an individual’s RFC and age, education, and work experience are considered to see if he/she can make an adjustment to other work. If an individual can make an adjustment to other work, he or she is found to be not disabled. If an individual can not make an adjustment to other work, he or she is found to be disabled.