This disability glossary explains the words and phrases every disability claimant runs into – from “SGA” and “RFC” to the “Blue Book,” “reconsideration,” and “back pay” – in plain English. Use the search box or the A-Z filter to find any term fast, then tap it to read a clear, jargon-free definition written for people seeking benefits, not for caseworkers or lawyers. Knowing what each term means is the first step to protecting your claim and understanding what the SSA is really asking of you.
Why a Disability Glossary Matters
A Social Security Disability claim buries you in language that can feel built to wear you down – letters from the SSA, medical reports, function forms, and deadlines, all full of abbreviations. A clear disability glossary turns that wall of jargon into plain English, so you can tell what a benefit actually pays, what a form is really asking, and where your claim might be at risk. Whether you are about to apply, just got a denial letter, or are waiting on a hearing, knowing the right words is what lets you make your own decisions instead of feeling lost in the process.
Social Security Disability is a federal program, so the core rules are the same in all 50 states – but how long you wait and how often claims are approved can still vary by where you live. That is why this disability glossary keeps every definition focused on what a term means for you as a claimant – and why, throughout the site, we pair these definitions with current information from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the SSA Blue Book, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the National Council on Aging (NCOA), so you can move from understanding a term to seeing what it really means for your case.
The Most Important Terms to Learn First
If you only learn a handful of terms from this glossary, start with these. Substantial gainful activity (SGA) is the monthly earnings limit that decides whether the SSA thinks you are working too much to be disabled. Your residual functional capacity (RFC) is the most you can still do despite your condition, and it drives many decisions. The Blue Book is the SSA’s list of conditions and the exact medical criteria each must meet – and if your condition meets a listing, you can be approved on the medical evidence alone.
A few more terms catch claimants out. Most first claims end in a denial, and your next step is usually a reconsideration, then a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Guard the 60-day appeal deadline on every decision letter, because missing it can force you to start over. When you are finally approved, back pay covers the long months you waited, and your onset date – the day your disability began – decides how far back that money reaches. Learn these and the rest of the glossary below will make a lot more sense.
How to Use This Disability Glossary
This disability glossary is built for claimants, not for caseworkers. Every definition is written in everyday language and focuses on what a term means for your claim. Type any word into the search box to filter instantly, or click a letter to jump to that part of the alphabet. Grey letters have no entries. Each term carries a colored tag showing its topic – programs, applying and process, medical and evidence, appeals and hearings, benefits and pay, or work rules – so you can see at a glance what part of the disability system it belongs to.
Because wait times and approval odds can change by state and over time, treat these definitions as your starting point, not the final word. Once a term makes sense, the next step is to see what it means for your situation – whether your condition may qualify, how to apply, and what to do if you are denied. You will find those throughout Disability Claim Info, with guidance drawn from the SSA, the SSA Blue Book, and other official sources.
This disability glossary is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Disability Claim Info is an independent educational resource and is not the Social Security Administration. Definitions are simplified for everyday readers, and rules, figures, and deadlines vary by situation and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, confirm the exact rule, deadline, and figure with the Social Security Administration and a licensed attorney or accredited representative before you act. Last reviewed June 2026.