How the Rise of Remote Work Is Changing SSDI Eligibility

Over the last few years, remote work has become a major part of the American workforce. More employers are offering work-from-home options, and more jobs can now be done online. So if you have a disability that keeps you from working,  understanding remote work and SSDI eligibility can make all the difference in your claim.

Many people worry the Social Security Administration (SSA) will assume they can still work from home, even if their disability makes that impossible. But that’s simply not the case.

Here’s what you need to know about how remote work is changing the way SSDI claims are evaluated.

Why Remote Work Matters for Your SSDI Claim

The SSA looks at whether you can perform any kind of full-time work, not just the job you used to have. Because remote jobs have become so common, the SSA may ask questions like:

  • Could you work from home if you didn’t have to commute?
  • Could you do a job that’s mostly typing or talking on the phone?
  • Would flexible hours allow you to work around symptoms?

In other words, the SSA may believe that remote work opens more possibilities for people with disabilities. That means you would need to show why your disability still prevents you from working, even from home.

When Remote Work Still Isn’t Possible

However, the SSA understands there can still be severe limitations that keep people from working, even at home.

Working from home sounds easier, but it still requires being able to sit, focus, and stay alert for long periods. Any worker needs consistent energy, memory, and concentration – even at home.

You may also have to be able to use a computer, phone, or other equipment. And you have to be able to show up reliably, without frequent sick days.

Many disabilities still make this kind of work impossible. For example:

  • Chronic pain may prevent sitting or typing for long periods.
  • Brain fog or migraines can make concentrating nearly impossible.
  • Mental health conditions may make it hard to stay on task or handle stress.
  • Fatigue or unpredictable flare-ups can interfere with a consistent schedule.
  • Neurological conditions may limit typing speed, speech, or coordination.

Just because a job could be done remotely doesn’t mean you can do it with your condition.

How to Show the SSA That Remote Work Isn’t an Option

If the SSA thinks you can do remote work, they’ll deny your claim unless you clearly show otherwise. To strengthen your case, make sure your medical records show:

  • Whether you can sit for long periods
  • Whether you have trouble focusing, remembering, or completing tasks
  • How often you experience flare-ups, migraines, panic attacks, or fatigue
  • How your condition affects your ability to use a computer
  • How often you’d need breaks, naps, or time away from work
  • Whether your pain, symptoms, or medication side effects make work unsafe

A symptom journal can also help you show how unpredictable or disabling your condition really is.

Why Remote Work and SSDI Eligibility Has Become Such a Big Issue Today

Since more jobs than ever can be done from home, the SSA is watching remote work trends closely. They may argue that working from home makes it easy to stay employed even with a variety of conditions. And this may make it harder for some applicants to prove they can’t work at all.

That’s why it’s important to make your limitations crystal clear and get the documentation to prove it.

Remote work still requires functioning at a high level every day, and the SSA needs to understand why you can’t meet those demands.

Darrell CastleHow an SSDI Lawyer Can Help

As SSDI lawyers, we know how the SSA thinks about remote jobs – and how to push back when their assumptions don’t match your reality. We help by:

  • Making sure your doctors document the right limitations
  • Showing exactly how your condition affects remote work tasks
  • Preparing you for questions the SSA will ask
  • Strengthening your application or appeal to address the remote work issue directly

This is becoming one of the most common reasons SSDI claims are denied, and you shouldn’t face that alone.

If you’re worried the SSA will assume you can work from home – or if you’ve already been denied because of this – reach out to us today for a free consultation.

You have 60 days to appeal, and we don’t win anything unless and until we win your case, so you have nothing to lose.

We’ll help you build a strong case that addresses the SSA’s shifting standards around remote work, so you can focus on your health and ongoing care.