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How to Qualify for Disability Benefits in Florida

Written by

Jackie Jakab

Lead Attorney

Published May 6, 2024

2 min read

Why trust us?

Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience, and have helped over 10,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.

See if you qualify

In Florida, if you’re unable to work due to physical or mental disabilities, you might be eligible for support. The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages federal disability programs that are designed to help individuals with significant or long-term disabilities.

Specifically, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offer financial assistance and healthcare benefits. This guide will walk you through the eligibility requirements for these programs.

How to qualify for disability benefits in Florida

To qualify for disability benefits in Florida, you must go through an evaluation process the Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees. The SSA's evaluation for eligibility involves a five-step process:

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): You must demonstrate that you are not engaged in SGA. The SSA defines this as earning more than a specified monthly amount. For 2024, this threshold is set at $1,550 for non-blind individuals.
Severity of impairment: The impairment must be severe enough to significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities, and you expect it to last at least 12 months.
Listed conditions: The impairment should meet or equal a medical condition listed in the SSA's Blue Book. If the condition is not listed, you have to provide sufficient medical evidence to demonstrate that the impairment is as severe as a medical condition that is listed.
Past work: The SSA will consider whether you can perform any of your past relevant work despite your impairment.
Adjusted work: The SSA assesses whether there are any other jobs you could do, considering your medical conditions, age, education, past work experience, and transferable skills.

How to qualify for SSDI in Florida

For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Florida, your eligibility is contingent on the following:

Disability: You must meet the federal definition of disability.
Work credits: SSDI requires a certain number of work credits, which you earned through your previous work history at jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. The SSA requires 40 credits, 20 of which you must have earned in the last 10 years, ending with the year your disability began. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
Recent work test: You must meet the SSA’s recent work test, factoring in your age at the onset of the disability. For example, if you were disabled before age 24, you need at least 1.5 years of work history in the three-year period ending with the quarter in which your disability began.

How to qualify for SSI in Florida

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is based on financial need and does not require work credits. The eligibility criteria for SSI include:

Disability or age: You must be disabled, blind, or age 65 or older.
Few assets: You must have less than $2,000 in countable resources ($3,000 for couples).
Limited income: You must earn an income of less than $943 per month.

We've helped 10,914 people in Florida apply for benefits.

What conditions qualify for disability in Florida?

In Florida, the SSA determines eligibility for Social Security disability benefits by considering the impact of a condition on your ability to perform work rather than merely the presence of a specific disease or disorder.

The SSA utilizes the SSA Blue Book to identify medical conditions that are severe enough to potentially qualify someone for disability benefits. This Blue Book categorizes impairments that can affect an individual’s functional capacity and ability to engage in SGA.

The importance of medical evidence:

Having a condition listed in the SSA Blue Book does not automatically ensure you will qualify for disability benefits. The severity of your condition and how it restricts your capacity to work is of greater importance. The SSA conducts a thorough evaluation of medical evidence to determine the impact of the condition on your life and ability to maintain employment.

Evaluating non-listed conditions:

When the Blue Book doesn’t mention a specific condition, the SSA assesses what it calls the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). This assessment helps the SSA determine whether you can perform any work considering your limitations.

Most common conditions in Florida

According to the latest data from the SSA, the most frequently approved conditions for disability benefits in Florida are:

Mental disorders: 29.6%
Musculoskeletal system disorders: 32.3%
Nervous system and sense organs disorders: 10.3%
Circulatory system disorders: 7.4%

The SSA evaluates each of these conditions based on how it impairs an individual's ability to perform work activities. The SSA's detailed scrutiny of medical documentation and the RFC assessment are critical in determining your eligibility for benefits.

SSA offices in Florida

Visiting a Social Security Administration (SSA) field office in person can be particularly beneficial if you’re seeking disability benefits in Florida. Personal visits allow you to receive one-on-one assistance from experienced SSA representatives who can provide guidance. If you’re unfamiliar with or unsure about the online submission process, in-person visits can help you complete your paperwork and submit it correctly.

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