Reviewed by Lorraine E. Robinson, Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney by The Florida Bar | Updated 9/30/2026
Short answer: According to the Social Security Administration’s 2024 Annual Statistical Report on the SSDI program, the most common disabling conditions among disabled workers are musculoskeletal disorders (34%), depressive and bipolar disorders (12%), nervous system disorders (10%), circulatory system diseases (8%), and other mental disorders (5%). Musculoskeletal conditions and mental disorders together account for 63% of disabled workers receiving SSDI.
Illnesses and accidents can cause someone to become disabled almost instantaneously, but getting assistance for that disability can take a long time. As of December 2024, about 8.6 million people received Social Security disability benefits, including about 7.2 million disabled workers, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). In Florida, about 470,000 people aged 18 to 64 received Social Security disability benefits, or about 3% of the state’s working-age population.
The 10 Most Common Disabilities
Many types of disabilities can affect a person’s life and qualify them to receive disability benefits. These are the top 10 disability categories among disabled workers receiving SSDI, ranked by number of beneficiaries in the SSA’s 2024 Annual Statistical Report.
1. Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Disorders (34%)
The musculoskeletal system is made of bone, muscle, ligaments, and other tissues that connect these elements. Some of the most prevalent musculoskeletal problems that can cause disability include spinal disorders, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. These disorders can cause severe pain and make it impossible to work or take care of daily tasks without assistance.
2. Depressive, Bipolar, and Related Disorders (12%)
This category covers mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. These conditions can affect a person’s energy, concentration, and ability to cope with stress, making it difficult to hold a job.
3. Nervous System Disabilities (10%)
The nervous system refers to the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It enables communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Some examples of nervous system disabilities include functional disorders such as epilepsy and degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
4. Circulatory System Disorders (8%)
Diseases that impact the circulatory system include heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. These health issues may prevent an individual from safely coping with the physical and mental stress of the workplace.
5. Other Mental Disorders (5%)
“Other mental disorders” may sound vague, but the term describes mental conditions that fall outside the SSA’s other mental health categories. These may include anxiety disorders, PTSD, and ADHD.
6. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders (4%)
Psychotic disorders make up a small portion of those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, but the impact these disorders have on a person’s life is profound. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders may cause auditory and visual hallucinations, disorganized speech, and catatonic behavior.
7. Intellectual Disabilities (4%)
People with Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and other types of developmental delays may not be able to learn and retain the information needed to function in a workplace.
8. Injuries (4%)
Being injured in the workplace or in an automobile accident can leave a person disabled either temporarily or permanently. The injured person may not ever be able to return to their former career or work in the same capacity. When someone else caused the injury, you may have a car accident or workers’ compensation claim in addition to disability benefits.
9. Neoplasms (4%)
Neoplasms are abnormal growths that can affect organ function. They may be benign, precancerous, or cancerous. Cancerous neoplasms can spread and become life-threatening.
10. Neurocognitive Disorders (3%)
Neurocognitive disorders, once called organic mental disorders, involve a decline in memory and thinking. They include conditions like dementia, amnesia, and delirium. The memory impairment and loss of cognitive function they cause can make it impossible to maintain any type of employment.
How Do You Qualify for Social Security Disability in Florida?
Having a condition on this list does not qualify you by itself. The SSA looks at whether your condition keeps you from doing substantial work, whether it has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and whether you have worked long enough to earn coverage. Most workers need 40 work credits, 20 of them earned in the 10 years before becoming disabled, though younger workers can qualify with fewer. The steps for Florida residents are the same as in every state:
- Gather your medical records, including diagnoses, test results, and your doctors’ notes on what you can and cannot do.
- Apply with the SSA online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office.
- Respond to requests for more records or a consultative exam.
- If you are denied, file an appeal. You generally have 60 days from receiving the denial to appeal, and many claims that are denied at first are approved on appeal.
Our free Social Security Disability eBook walks through the process in more detail.
What To Do if You Are Disabled
If you’re wondering what medical conditions qualify for long-term disability or what qualifies for short-term disability, the above list is a good place to start. These conditions may be signs that you will be approved for disability.
If you have an illness or condition that makes it difficult to work, you may be eligible to receive SSDI benefits. A Clearwater Social Security disability lawyer can help you through the SSDI system and pursue the benefits you’re entitled to. If your disability was caused by a slip and fall accident or any other incident that was someone else’s fault, it may also be beneficial to consult with a personal injury lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common disability for Social Security benefits?
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, such as back and spine disorders and arthritis. They account for 34% of disabled workers receiving SSDI, according to the SSA’s 2024 Annual Statistical Report.
Is anxiety considered a disability for SSDI?
It can be. The SSA evaluates anxiety under its listing for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Approval depends on medical evidence showing the condition is severe enough to keep you from working.
Can I get disability benefits and also file an injury claim?
Yes. If someone else caused the injury that disabled you, you may have a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim in addition to Social Security disability benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits can reduce your SSDI payments, while a personal injury settlement generally does not reduce SSDI.
Contact the Pinellas County Personal Injury Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes has represented injured and disabled people in Tampa Bay since 1955, and our Social Security disability attorneys handle SSDI applications and appeals. For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg personal injury law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Pinellas County and its surrounding areas:
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 591-3354
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 591-3354
