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After months—or even years—of waiting through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) process, seeing a status update that says:

“We started step 4 of 5 of the review process. A representative has started a final review to make sure that you still meet the non-medical requirements for disability benefits.”

can bring both relief and anxiety.

This stage is commonly referred to as the final non-medical review. It means Social Security has finished evaluating your medical eligibility and is now confirming that you still meet the non-medical requirements for benefits.

If you find yourself ready to take the plunge and apply for Social Security disability benefits, the process is fairly straightforward—but it does require a bit of patience and paperwork.

First, you’ll need to complete an application for disability benefits. The quickest way to do this is online through the , but you also have the option to apply by phone or in person at your local Social Security office.

Here’s what you’ll need to gather before you start:

Personal identification (like your Social Security number and birth certificate)
Contact information for your health care providers
Details about your medical conditions, treatments, and medications
Work history from the past 15 years
Recent tax documents or proof of income

Once your application is submitted, you’ll also be asked to fill out a Disability Report, which digs deeper into your medical history and how your conditions impact your ability to work.

It’s smart to keep copies of everything and stay organized—this is a marathon, not a sprint. And if any questions pop up along the way, don’t hesitate to check the or contact their office directly.

What Is the Final Non-Medical Review?

While earlier stages focus on whether your medical condition meets the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability, this final review looks at eligibility factors unrelated to your medical condition, such as:

Work history and work credits (for SSDI)
Income and resources (primarily for SSI)
Citizenship or lawful residency
Living arrangements
Age and retirement status

This review is usually handled by a claims representative at the local Social Security office.

Why Non-Medical Requirements Matter

It’s easy to focus on the medical evidence—doctor’s notes, test results, or documented limitations—when applying for disability. But even with a qualifying medical condition, your claim can be denied if you don’t meet these non-medical rules. The Social Security Administration uses this final step to confirm you satisfy all the financial, legal, and work-related criteria before approving any benefits. In other words, both sides of the equation—medical and non-medical—must be satisfied before you can receive Social Security Disability benefits.

If you’ve made it to this stage, your medical eligibility is no longer in question. Now, Social Security is double-checking boxes like your work credits, income, and legal status to ensure everything else is in order.

How the SSA Decides If You Can Do Past or Other Work

Once the SSA confirms that your medical condition is severe enough, the agency then considers whether you’re able to do work you’ve done in the past—or, if not, whether you might reasonably switch to some other kind of job available in the national economy. This determination isn’t purely medical; it weighs a variety of practical factors, such as:

Your age: The SSA recognizes that learning a new job or field is generally harder as we get older, so older applicants may get some leeway.
Education and skills: Your past training and job experience matter. The SSA looks at what skills you’ve acquired and whether those might transfer to another line of work.
Work history: They analyze the physical and mental demands of the jobs you’ve held over the last 15 years.
Functional limitations: Any restrictions caused by your condition—like trouble standing, remembering instructions, or using your hands—are factored in as well.

If the SSA finds that you cannot return to your previous job and that retraining for a new job isn’t reasonably possible given your situation, you’re more likely to be found disabled for benefits purposes.

Work Credits and Insurance Status (SSDI Claims)

For SSDI, Social Security first confirms that you are “insured”—meaning you worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough and recently enough.

How Work Credits Are Earned

You earn work credits by working in jobs where Social Security taxes are withheld.

In 2026, you earn one credit for every $1,890 in earnings, up to four credits per year.
The dollar amount needed per credit changes slightly each year.

How Many Work Credits Are Required?

For most adults age 31 or older, you generally need:

20 credits earned in the 10 years before your disability began
(about five years of work)

For younger workers, the rules are more flexible:

Under age 24: 6 credits in the 3 years before disability
Ages 24–31: Credits equal to working about half the time between age 21 and the disability onset

The “Recent Work Test”

Social Security also applies a recent work test, which looks at whether your work occurred close enough in time to when your disability began. This requirement varies by age and is automatically reviewed during this stage.

If there are gaps or errors in your earnings record, this is often when SSA catches them—so reviewing your earnings history early can prevent problems.

What If You Plan to Recover and Return to Work?

The Social Security Administration requires that your disability is expected to last at least 12 months, or result in death, for you to qualify. So, if your doctor expects you’ll be unable to work for a year or longer—even if you anticipate eventually getting better—you can (and should) apply for disability benefits.

If your condition improves sooner than expected and you return to work, you’ll need to notify SSA, but there’s no penalty for applying with a reasonable expectation based on your medical situation.

Income and Resource Limits (SSI Claims)

If you applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the final review focuses heavily on financial eligibility.

Resource (Asset) Limits

SSI has strict asset limits:

$2,000 for individuals
$3,000 for couples

Countable resources include:

Cash
Bank accounts
Stocks and bonds
Additional vehicles
Certain personal property

Not everything counts. Generally excluded:

The home you live in
One vehicle used for transportation

Income Limits

SSA also reviews all sources of income, including:

Wages
Other disability benefits
Pensions or retirement income
Regular financial support from others

If your countable income exceeds SSA limits, SSI can be denied—even if you are medically disabled.

Income Rules for SSDI (Common Confusion)

SSDI does not have asset limits like SSI.

You can have:

Savings
Investments
Rental income
Passive income (dividends, interest)

These do not affect SSDI eligibility.

However, what does matter is earned income from work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays close attention to something called substantial gainful activity (SGA). If you are performing SGA—generally more than:

$1,690/month in 2026, or
$2,830/month if blind

SSA may find that you are not disabled under its rules.

For context, SGA is the threshold the SSA uses to determine if your work activity and earnings are “too much” to still be considered disabled. If you earn more than this limit through work, you typically will not qualify for SSDI benefits, regardless of how much you have in the bank or invested elsewhere.

Passive income does not count as work activity. So, you can continue to receive dividends, interest, or rent without impacting your eligibility. It’s your work earnings—specifically those above the SGA limit—that matter for SSDI.

Citizenship and Legal Residency Review

SSA will confirm that you meet citizenship or lawful residency requirements.

U.S. citizens generally qualify if other criteria are met.
Non-citizens may qualify if they fall into specific immigration categories (such as lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or certain parolee statuses).

SSA will review documents such as:

Birth certificates
Green cards
Immigration paperwork

Living Arrangements and Household Support (SSI)

For SSI claims, SSA also examines:

Where you live
Who you live with
Whether someone else helps pay household expenses

This can affect both eligibility and benefit amounts.

Age, Retirement, and Disability Benefits

Disability vs. Retirement

Your disability must have begun before full retirement age to qualify for SSDI.

Once you reach full retirement age:

SSDI benefits automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits
The payment amount usually stays the same
No action is required on your part

Early Retirement and SSDI

If you started early retirement while waiting on an SSDI claim:

You can still apply for SSDI
If approved, SSA will adjust your payments and pay the difference retroactively

Age as a Vocational Factor

Age also plays a role earlier in the process.

Beyond the basic medical requirements, SSA must also decide whether your condition prevents you from doing not only your past work, but any other type of work that exists in the national economy. This is where age, education, and work skills become especially important. If you can’t return to your old job, SSA evaluates whether you could reasonably transition to a different kind of work, taking into account your limitations, background, and ability to retrain.

Older workers, in particular, may benefit from these rules. The SSA recognizes that retraining for a completely new occupation becomes more challenging as people age. As a result, the rules are often more favorable for claimants age 50 and up, acknowledging the practical difficulties of starting over in a new field.

Possible Outcomes of the Final Review

At the end of this stage, SSA will issue one of three outcomes:

Approval: You’ll receive a notice explaining benefit amounts, payment timing, and any back pay.
Request for Information: SSA may ask for clarification or additional documentation.
Denial: Usually based on non-medical issues such as insufficient work credits, excess income or resources, or citizenship status.

Denials at this stage can still be appealed.

How to Prepare for the Final Review

To reduce delays and avoid preventable denials:

Keep SSA updated on changes in income, assets, or living arrangements
Organize documents (tax returns, bank statements, ID)
Respond promptly to SSA requests
Double-check your earnings record for errors

Getting Help If Your Claim Is Denied

A denial does not mean the end of your case. Many claims are ultimately approved at the hearing level.

Support at Every Stage

Navigating Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) eligibility and appeals can feel overwhelming, especially after a denial. You’re not alone—many people face questions about non-medical eligibility requirements or are unsure what to do next.

Whether you’re just starting your application or need to challenge a denied claim, having an experienced legal team can make all the difference. With thorough knowledge of both the law and the unique challenges applicants face, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process—helping you understand your options and fighting for the benefits you deserve.

A Social Security disability lawyer at the Ortiz Law Firm can:

Identify the exact reason for denial
Prepare and pursue your appeal
Represent you at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge

Call (888) 321-8131 to schedule a free case evaluation.