What health conditions qualify for SSDI in Illinois?
By Hogan Smith
Updated 05/23/2025
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Illinois, you must have a medical condition that meets the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability. That means your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or result in death. But which conditions qualify? Here's what you need to know.
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SSA's Listing of Impairments (Blue Book)
The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions called the Listing of Impairments—often referred to as the Blue Book. If your condition is on this list and meets the outlined criteria, you may be automatically considered disabled.
Here are some common categories of qualifying impairments:
- Musculoskeletal Disorders: Back injuries, severe arthritis, joint dysfunctions, and fractures that don’t heal properly.
- Neurological Conditions: Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain injuries.
- Mental Disorders: Depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities.
- Cardiovascular Problems: Congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and chronic heart conditions.
- Respiratory Illnesses: COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Cancer: Many forms, such as leukemia, breast cancer, and lung cancer, especially when aggressive or recurrent.
- Sensory and Speech Issues: Vision or hearing loss that significantly limits function.
Tip: Even if your condition isn’t listed, you may still qualify if it is as severe as a listed condition and limits your ability to work.
How the SSA Evaluates Your Medical Condition
To determine if your health issue qualifies, the SSA evaluates:
- Medical records and test results
- Doctor’s opinions and clinical observations
- Functional limitations—how the condition affects your ability to perform daily and work-related tasks
SSA Five-Step Process:
- Are you currently working above substantial gainful activity?
- Is your condition considered severe?
- Does it meet or equal a listed impairment?
- Can you perform past work?
- Can you do any other work?
If you meet these requirements, you may qualify for SSDI.
Chronic Conditions That May Also Qualify
Some conditions may not appear in the Blue Book but still qualify based on severity:
- Chronic migraines
- Long COVID (post-viral syndrome)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Fibromyalgia
- Degenerative disc disease
In these cases,
strong medical documentation is essential.
How Hogan Smith Can Help
At Hogan Smith, we help individuals across Illinois navigate the SSDI application process — especially when dealing with complex or borderline conditions. We can:
- Determine if your condition qualifies under SSA rules
- Help gather and present your medical evidence effectively
- Represent you in hearings or appeals, if needed
- Simplify the confusing parts of the SSA’s evaluation process
Contact Hogan Smith Today
Wondering if your health condition qualifies for SSDI in Illinois? Don’t guess —
get expert guidance.
Contact Hogan Smith for a free consultation, and we’ll help you understand your eligibility and take the next steps toward securing the benefits you deserve.
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