Many people assume that if they were fired for performance rather than medical reasons, they cannot qualify for SSDI. This belief is wrong and keeps many disabled workers from applying.
SSA does not require that you were fired because of disability. What matters is whether medical impairment caused the performance decline that led to termination.
Why SSA Questions These Cases
SSA often sees termination records stating:
- Failed to meet expectations
- Attendance issues
- Productivity concerns
- Behavioral warnings
Without context, SSA assumes the issue was motivation or conduct, not health. If medical causation is not clearly established, the claim is denied.
How Medical Decline Shows Up as Performance Failure
Disability often manifests quietly at work:
- Fatigue leads to missed deadlines
- Pain causes slower pace
- Cognitive symptoms cause mistakes
- Mental health conditions affect attendance and focus
Employers rarely document medical causes. They document outcomes.
SSA requires the connection to be made explicitly.
Evidence That Reframes the Narrative
Winning cases establish a timeline showing:
- Stable work history before illness or injury
- Onset of symptoms
- Increasing performance issues
- Medical treatment occurring during decline
- Termination following functional collapse
This converts a performance termination into medical evidence.
Common Mistakes That Hurt These Claims
- Applying without explaining termination circumstances
- Minimizing symptoms to appear responsible
- Failing to submit employment records
- Letting SSA assume misconduct or lack of effort
Silence allows SSA to control the narrative.
How Attorneys Present These Cases
We align:
- Medical records
- Employer warnings
- Attendance logs
- Treatment notes
- RFC limitations
Judges understand that illness rarely announces itself formally at work.
Final Takeaway
Being fired for performance does not defeat SSDI. Unexplained performance decline does.
Call to Action
If you lost your job as your health declined, your SSDI case may be stronger than you think.
Call for a free termination timeline review.
We connect medical evidence to work failure.
No fees unless you win.
