Listing code
101.20
Children (Part B)
Body system
101.00
Musculoskeletal disorders (children)
Subsections
4
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Amputation due to any cause (see 101.00K ), documented by A, B, C, or D:
Subsection A
Amputation of both upper extremities, occurring at any level at or above the wrists (carpal joints), up to and including the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint. OR
Subsection B
Hemipelvectomy or hip disarticulation. OR
Subsection C
Amputation of one upper extremity, occurring at any level at or above the wrist (carpal joints), and amputation of one lower extremity, occurring at or above the ankle (talocrural joint), and medical documentation of at least one of the following: 1. A documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 101.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 101.00C6e(i) ); or 2. A documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device (see 101.00C6d ) requiring the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand (see 101.00C6e(ii) ); or 3. The inability to use the remaining upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities involving fine and gross movements ( 101.00E4 ). OR
- A documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 101.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 101.00C6e(i) ); or
- A documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device (see 101.00C6d ) requiring the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand (see 101.00C6e(ii) ); or
- The inability to use the remaining upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities involving fine and gross movements ( 101.00E4 ). OR
Subsection D
Amputation of one or both lower extremities, occurring at or above the ankle (talocrural joint), with complications of the residual limb(s) that have lasted, or are expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months, and medical documentation of 1 and 2: 1. The inability to use a prosthesis(es); and 2. A documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 101.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 101.00C6e(i) ).
- The inability to use a prosthesis(es); and
- A documented medical need (see 101.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 101.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 101.00C6e(i) ).
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 101.20. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 101.20 usually fail
Missing the level requirement is the biggest failure mode, because A and B are based on amputation occurring at or above the wrist or ankle, or a hip disarticulation/hemipelvectomy. For category C, it is not enough to have one upper and one lower amputation, because SSA also requires medical documentation of at least one of the specified needs or functional limitation involving age-appropriate fine and gross movements (101.00E4). For category C, a frequent problem is not having the right kind of documentation for mobility/hand use, since it specifically calls out a walker, bilateral canes, bilateral crutches, or a wheeled and seated mobility device using both hands, or a one-handed hand-held assistive device requiring use of the other upper extremity (or using one hand on a wheeled and seated device). For category D, qualification hinges on both complications lasting (or expected to last) at least 12 months and medical documentation of inability to use prostheses plus a documented need for specified mobility supports involving both hands for the device option.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Strong documentation includes medical records that specify the exact amputation level(s): carpal joints (wrist level), glenohumeral (shoulder) joint, talocrural joint (ankle level), or hip disarticulation/hemipelvectomy. For Subsection C, the record also needs medical documentation of at least one: a documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, bilateral crutches, or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands; or a documented medical need for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device requiring the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand; or the inability to use the remaining upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete age-appropriate activities involving fine and gross movements (101.00E4). For Subsection D, documentation should cover the residual limb complications lasting (or expected to last) for at least a continuous period of 12 months, medical documentation that the child cannot use a prosthesis(es), and the documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If the amputation level or the extra requirements in the matching lettered category are not met, the claim can still be evaluated through the remaining steps of childhood disability analysis. Those later steps look at how the child functions overall (residual functional capacity conceptually) and whether the impairment results in limitations that meet the program's disability standard. Many claims that miss A, B, C, or D because the documentation for the exact level or the required mobility/prosthesis limitations is incomplete can still be approved if the overall functional limitations are fully supported by medical evidence.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For children under 18, SSDI and SSI childhood disability evaluations do not work the same way as the SGA rules used for adults. Instead, this listing focuses on whether the amputation details match one of the lettered criteria A, B, C, or D, including required medical documentation like a need for specific mobility devices or inability to use prostheses for at least 12 months. If approved under a listing like 101.20, benefits continue under the usual childhood rules for ongoing eligibility, with review based on medical improvement over time.
Listing 101.20 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for amputation due to any cause disability claims.