1. Severe Medical Condition

Your condition must:

• Significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities, such as standing, sitting, lifting, remembering, or concentrating
• Have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months, or be expected to result in death

2. Listed Conditions in the SSA Blue Book

SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments (Blue Book). If your condition meets the specific criteria under a listed impairment, you may qualify automatically. Categories include:

• Musculoskeletal Disorders:
• Severe back problems (herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease)
• Joint dysfunction (advanced arthritis, hip/knee replacements with limitations)
• Amputations causing mobility limitations
• Neurological Disorders:
• Epilepsy with frequent uncontrolled seizures
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke with lasting impairments
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Cardiovascular Disorders:
• Chronic heart failure
• Coronary artery disease requiring bypass or stents
• Peripheral artery disease with severe walking limitations
• Respiratory Disorders:
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Severe asthma requiring hospitalization
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Mental Disorders:
• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• PTSD, OCD, severe anxiety disorders
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Intellectual disabilities
• Cancer:
• Certain aggressive cancers qualify under Compassionate Allowances for expedited approval
• Cancers with metastasis or that have recurred despite treatment
• Immune System Disorders:
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• HIV/AIDS with severe functional limitations
• Digestive System Disorders:
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Chronic liver disease (cirrhosis, liver failure)
• Endocrine Disorders:
• Diabetes with severe complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, organ damage)
• Thyroid disorders with disabling effects
• Genitourinary Disorders:
• Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplant

3. Conditions Not Listed May Still Qualify

If your condition is not specifically listed, you can still qualify if:

• It is medically equivalent in severity to a listed impairment
• It prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA) despite treatment

4. Inability to Perform Past or Other Work

SSA evaluates whether:

• You can perform your past relevant work (jobs held in the last 15 years)
• If not, whether you can perform any other work based on your age, education, skills, and medical limitations

5. Work Credits for SSDI

For SSDI specifically, you must have earned enough work credits by paying Social Security taxes. The general rule is 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years, though younger workers may qualify with fewer.

Summary of What Qualifies for Disability in Wyoming

• A severe medical condition lasting 12 months or longer
• Condition meets or equals SSA Blue Book listings
• Unable to perform past work or any other work
• Meets work credit requirements (for SSDI) or financial limits (for SSI)