The workplace has transformed dramatically in recent years. When you're applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, these changes raise important questions about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates disability claims in an era of widespread remote work and evolving employment options.
At Keefe Disability Law, we understand your concerns about how these shifts in the job market might affect your SSDI claim. Our Boston disability lawyers can help you understand your rights and build a strong case for benefits, even as traditional definitions of work continue to evolve.
Understanding How SSA Evaluates Modern Work Capabilities
The SSA's disability determination process examines whether you can perform any type of work, not just your past job. This evaluation has become more nuanced as remote and hybrid positions reshape the American workplace. The SSA may deny an applicant who may have previously been eligible for SSDI because they decide the person is capable of pivoting to a different work situation.
When reviewing your SSDI claim for disability benefits, the SSA considers the following:
- Your ability to perform basic work activities
- The physical and mental demands of your past work
- Your age, education, and work experience
- The types of jobs available in the current economy
The SSA's medical-vocational guidelines (the "grid rules") help determine if you're disabled based on these factors. However, the Social Security Administration developed these guidelines before remote work became so commonplace, creating new challenges in disability determinations.
Work Credits and Non-Medical Requirements
Before considering your medical condition or ability to work, the SSA evaluates whether you meet basic eligibility criteria based on your work history. The two main requirements are work credits and substantial gainful activity.
To qualify for SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits. Most people need 40 credits total, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled. In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,810 of earned wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four work credits per year. Younger SSDI applicants may qualify with fewer work credits.
Your disability must also prevent you from working at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level. In 2025, the standard SGA amount is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 per month for statutorily blind individuals. What this means is that you may work a little bit and still be eligible to receive SSDI benefits. Remember to keep the SSA updated about any changes to your earned income.
How Remote Work Options May Impact Your Claim
The rise of remote work has fundamentally changed how the SSA views job availability and disability employment. While working from home might seem like an effective accommodation that makes work more accessible, the reality is often more complicated for individuals with disabilities.
The Rise of Sedentary Employment
The increase in remote positions has expanded opportunities for sedentary work. Common examples may include virtual customer service representatives handling support tickets from home and remote medical billing specialists processing insurance claims.
While these job market changes benefit many workers, they can create obstacles for SSDI applicants. The SSA may argue that you could do sedentary remote work even if you cannot perform your previous job.
For example, a construction worker with lumbar spinal stenosis (SSA Blue Book Listing 1.16) might be unable to return to physical labor. Previously, limited education and experience might have supported their disability claim. Now, the SSA might point to remote customer service or data entry positions as potential employment options and reasons to deny their SSDI claim.
Cross-Regional Employment Opportunities
The ability to work remotely has expanded job searches beyond traditional geographical boundaries. The SSA now considers positions that might be available nationwide when evaluating your ability to work. However, this doesn't automatically mean you can perform these jobs.
A person with severe depression living in Boston might technically have access to remote positions based in California, but their condition could make it impossible to maintain consistent work performance or adapt to different time zones.
Physical Limitations in a Remote Setting
Working from home doesn't automatically make a job suitable for someone with disabilities. Consider these challenges:
- Sitting for long periods can aggravate certain conditions
- Some medical conditions make it difficult to focus on computer screens
- Mental health conditions may make it hard to work independently
- Chronic pain can interfere with concentration and productivity
The Role of Past Work Experience in Modern SSDI Claims
Your work history provides crucial context for how your disability affects your ability to maintain employment. The SSA examines what you've done in the past and how those skills might transfer to other types of work in today's job market.
Transferable Skills Analysis
The SSA examines whether your skills from previous jobs transfer to other types of work. In today's job market, this analysis has become more sophisticated. Skills like computer literacy, which might once have been considered specialized, are now often viewed as basic job requirements.
Technology Adaptability Assessment
The SSA considers your ability to adapt to technology-dependent work environments. For someone with ischemic heart disease (Blue Book Listing 4.04) who previously worked in retail management, the stress of learning new software systems while managing their condition might prove too challenging.
Education and Training Considerations
Your education level significantly influences the SSA's assessment of your ability to adapt to different types of work. The administration considers:
- Formal education
- Vocational training
- Technical certifications
- Recent work experience
Medical Evidence in the Modern Workplace
Documenting your disability requires careful attention to how your condition affects your ability to work in both traditional and remote settings. Medical evidence must address specific limitations that prevent you from maintaining employment in any capacity.
Documenting Disabilities That Affect Remote Work
Evidence from acceptable medical sources remains crucial for strengthening SSDI claims. Your doctor should document specific limitations that prevent you from working, even in a remote setting with fewer physical demands. These limitations may include:
- Inability to maintain focus for extended periods
- Problems with sitting for long durations
- Visual impairments that limit screen time
- Mental health conditions affecting independent work
The Impact of Mental Health Conditions
Mental health disabilities can be particularly challenging in remote work environments. Conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD may make it difficult to:
- Maintain regular work schedules
- Interact with colleagues virtually
- Handle work-related stress independently
- Complete tasks without direct supervision
Accessibility Requirements
Medical documentation should address how your condition affects your ability to use the necessary technology to perform work tasks successfully. This includes limitations on screen time, typing ability, mouse use, or virtual communication tools.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Retraining Programs
Understanding vocational rehabilitation options is crucial when applying for SSDI benefits. The SSA considers whether retraining could enable you to perform different types of work, but this assessment varies based on multiple factors, such as your age and the severity of your disability.
SSA's Perspective on Retraining
The SSA considers whether retraining could enable you to perform other types of work. However, several factors affect this determination:
- Your age (SSDI applicants over 50 face different standards)
- The severity of your health condition
- The likelihood of successful retraining
- The availability of suitable work positions
For example, a 53-year-old former warehouse worker with degenerative disc disease might not be expected to retrain for a computer programming career. On the other hand, a 31-year-old with the same medical condition might face different expectations regarding adaptation to sedentary work.
The Ticket to Work Program
The SSA's Ticket to Work program provides resources and support for SSDI recipients interested in returning to regular employment. The program offers:
- Disability employment networks to help find suitable jobs
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Protection of benefits while attempting work
- Continuation of Medicare coverage
- Career counseling and job placement assistance
Participation in Ticket to Work is completely voluntary and won't affect your current benefits. The program demonstrates the SSA's recognition that many disability recipients want to work if given appropriate support and accommodation. Ask your Social Security disability lawyer if Ticket to Work is suitable for your situation.
