Can you apply for disability on the basis of multiple health problems?You may apply for Social Security Disability (or SSI disability) on the basis of one health problem or many health problems. Functionality is the actual determining factor for Social Security Disability and SSI disability benefits, meaning that the specific mental or physical impairment may not be as important as the limitations caused by the impairment. In other words, how the conditions affect your ability to perform daily activities especially activities that are associated with work is more important than what your conditions are. The definition of a disability for Social Security Disability or SSI purposes is as follows: a severe impairment, either physical or mental, that can be documented by medical evidence, or that has prevented your ability to perform work that is self supporting (SGA, or substantial gainful activity). Substantial gainful work activity is a monthly earnings amount that Social Security considers self-supporting. As far as Social Security is concerned, a disability can be one medical condition or many medical conditions. However, disability applicants alleging disability on the basis of multiple health problems rather than a single severe physical impairment may have a harder time being approved for disability especially at their initial disability claim or reconsideration appeal. Social Security uses a disability handbook that contains social security impairment listings for all body systems. These listings provide the criteria needed to meet the severity requirements of the Social Security Disability or SSI program. If a person has a disabling condition that does meet or equal the criteria of an impairment listing, they may be approved for disability benefits. It is more difficult to be approved on the basis of multiple heath conditions or impairments that do not meet or equal the criteria of any impairment listing. However, if you do not satisfy the requirements of a listing, you may still be approved for disability if your condition or conditions severely restrict your functional capacity. This occurs through a through a medical vocational allowance. Medical vocational allowances are based upon residual functional capacity, education, age, and the transferability of your job skills. If your multiple health problems cause you to have a residual functional capacity that is so restricted that it prevents you from doing any of your past work or any other kind of work you may be approved for disability benefits. In summary, you can most certainly apply for disability on the basis of multiple health problems and be approved for disability benefits. However, it is a little more difficult to receive an approval for benefits especially at the initial claim and reconsideration appeal levels. Usually, your chances of being approved for disability improve at a disability hearing. Administrative law judges are not strictly bound by the criteria outlined in the disability handbook. They are allowed more flexibility to interpret the vocational rules and the criteria outlined in the impairment listings of the disability guidebook. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. 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