Social Security disability comes with its own language — alphabet-soup acronyms, technical legal terms, and dates that matter. This glossary defines the terms you’ll hear most often, in plain English. If you don’t see a term here, ask us and we’ll add it.
A
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). A federal judge who hears Social Security disability appeals at the hearing stage (Stage 3 of the SSDI process). ALJs work for the Social Security Administration’s Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). Their decisions can be appealed to the Appeals Council and then federal court.
AIME (Average Indexed Monthly Earnings). The figure SSA calculates from your highest-earning years of work to determine your SSDI benefit amount. It feeds into the PIA formula.
Alleged Onset Date (AOD). The date you claim your disability began — the date you stopped being able to work. SSA may or may not accept this date; the date they ultimately accept is the “established onset date” (EOD).
Appeals Council. The body in Falls Church, Virginia that reviews ALJ denials for legal errors or unsupported findings. It can affirm, reverse, or remand a case. Stage 4 of the SSDI process.
Application. The initial filing with SSA that begins your disability claim. Can be filed online, by phone, or in person at a field office. Stage 1 of the SSDI process.
B
Back Pay. Past-due benefits owed to you for the months between your established onset date and the date your claim is approved. Often paid as a lump sum.
Bend Points. Dollar thresholds in the PIA formula that determine how your AIME translates into your monthly benefit. The 2026 bend points are $1,286 and $7,749.
C
CDR (Continuing Disability Review). A periodic review by SSA to determine whether you still meet disability criteria. Reviews happen every 3 or 7 years depending on the severity of your impairment.
Children’s Listings (Part B). The section of SSA’s Listing of Impairments that defines disability for claimants under age 18.
Closed Period. A finding that you were disabled for a defined past period (at least 12 months) but have since medically improved enough to return to work. Entitles you to back pay for the closed period.
COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment). The annual increase SSA applies to benefit amounts based on inflation. The 2026 COLA is 2.8%.
Consultative Examination (CE). A medical exam ordered by DDS at SSA’s expense to obtain medical evidence about your condition. You are required to attend; failure to attend can result in denial.
Contingency Fee. The fee structure most SSDI attorneys use: you pay nothing unless you win, and the fee is a percentage of your back pay (capped by federal law at 25% or $9,200, whichever is less, in 2025).
D
DAC (Disabled Adult Child). Benefits paid to an adult (over 18) who became disabled before age 22 and whose parent is receiving SSDI, SSI, or is deceased.
DDS (Disability Determination Services). The Colorado state agency that reviews initial and reconsideration-level SSDI claims on behalf of SSA. DDS decides whether your medical evidence meets SSA’s disability standard.
Denial. A decision that you do not meet SSA’s disability criteria. About 65% of initial applications are denied. A denial is not the end — it’s the start of the appeals process.
Disability Onset Date. See Alleged Onset Date and Established Onset Date.
Durational Requirement. SSA’s rule that your disability must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months — or result in death.
E
Established Onset Date (EOD). The date SSA officially accepts as the start of your disability. Determines how much back pay you receive.
Expedited Reinstatement (EXR). A provision allowing former SSDI recipients to restart benefits without filing a new application if they become unable to work again within 5 years of stopping.
F
Family Maximum. The cap on the total monthly benefits that can be paid to one family from one earner’s record. Typically 150–180% of the earner’s PIA.
Federal Court. The final stage of SSDI appeals. In Colorado, claimants file at the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Requires an attorney admitted to federal court practice.
Field Office. An SSA office where you file applications, request redeterminations, and conduct general benefit administration. Find your nearest Colorado field office.
Filing Date. The date you submit your application. Important because it can affect how far back your back pay starts.
Five-Step Sequential Evaluation. The five-question test SSA uses to evaluate disability claims: (1) Are you working? (2) Is your condition severe? (3) Is it on the Listings? (4) Can you do your past work? (5) Can you do any other work? You must “fail” at one of these steps to be found disabled.
H
Hearing. Stage 3 of the SSDI process. A formal proceeding before an ALJ where you (and witnesses) testify about your condition and inability to work. Most cases that are ultimately won are won at this stage.
Hearing Office. An SSA Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). Two serve Colorado: Denver OHO and Colorado Springs OHO.
I
Initial Application. See Application.
Insured Status. Your eligibility for SSDI based on having paid enough Social Security taxes (typically 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned in the 10 years before your disability began).
Impairment. A medical condition that affects your ability to function. To qualify for SSDI, your impairment(s) must be “severe” (more than minimal limitation) and meet the durational requirement.
L
Listing of Impairments (the Blue Book). SSA’s catalog of medical conditions that, if met or equaled, automatically qualify a claimant as disabled. Organized by body system (musculoskeletal, neurological, etc.).
M
Medical-Vocational Allowance. A finding of disability based not on meeting a Listing but on the combination of your impairments, age, education, and work experience preventing you from doing any work.
Medical Source Statement. A form completed by your treating physician documenting your functional limitations. Often the most important piece of evidence in a disability case.
N
Non-Attorney Representative. A non-lawyer who has passed an SSA exam and may represent claimants. Common at national disability mills. We strongly recommend attorney representation, especially at the hearing stage. Read why we’re attorney-only.
NOSSCR. The National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. The professional association for SSDI attorneys. William Viner is a member.
O
OHO (Office of Hearings Operations). Formerly called ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review). The SSA division where ALJ hearings take place.
Onset Date. See Alleged Onset Date and Established Onset Date.
Overpayment. A situation where SSA paid you more than you were entitled to. SSA will seek to recover overpayments, but there are waiver and repayment-plan options.
P
PIA (Primary Insurance Amount). Your monthly SSDI benefit amount before adjustments, calculated from your AIME using bend points.
Protective Filing Date. The earliest date SSA acknowledges your intent to file a claim. Can be earlier than your formal application date, increasing your back pay.
R
Reconsideration. Stage 2 of the SSDI process. After an initial denial, your file is reviewed by a different DDS examiner. Often denied (~80% nationally); mainly a step you must take to preserve hearing rights.
Remand. An Appeals Council or federal court order returning your case to a lower stage for further review. Common outcome of a successful Appeals Council appeal.
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). SSA’s assessment of what you can still do despite your impairments. Determined by your medical records, testimony, and (often most importantly) statements from your treating physician.
S
SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity). The earnings threshold above which SSA considers you to be working at “substantial” levels — meaning you don’t qualify for SSDI. In 2026, SGA is $1,1690/month for non-blind claimants ($2,830 for blind).
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). The federal benefit program for disabled workers who have paid Social Security taxes and have enough work credits. Funded by FICA payroll taxes.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income). A needs-based federal benefit for disabled individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Often paired with SSDI claims when work credits are insufficient.
Step 5. The final step of the sequential evaluation, where SSA must show that significant numbers of jobs exist in the national economy that you could perform given your RFC, age, education, and work experience. Where many cases are won via cross-examination of the vocational expert.
T
Ticket to Work. A federal program supporting beneficiaries who want to attempt returning to work without immediately losing benefits.
Trial Work Period (TWP). Nine months (within a rolling 60-month window) during which an SSDI recipient can test working without losing benefits, regardless of earnings.
V
Vocational Expert (VE). A witness at ALJ hearings who testifies about the existence and availability of jobs you could allegedly perform given your RFC. Cross-examination of the VE is often where cases are won or lost.
W
Work Credits. Quarters of Social Security taxes you’ve paid. You earn up to 4 per year. SSDI generally requires 40 credits (20 of which earned in the last 10 years). Younger workers may qualify with fewer.
Term not here?
Email us at info@vinerlaw.com or call (720) 515-9012 and we’ll add it. We update this glossary regularly based on questions clients actually ask.