Listing code
1.20
Adult (Part A)
Body system
1.00
Musculoskeletal disorders
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 1.00K ), 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 1.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 1.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 1.00C6e(i) ); or 2. A documented medical need (see 1.00C6a ) for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device (see 1.00C6d ) requiring the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand (see 1.00C6e(ii) ); or 3. The inability to use the remaining upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements ( 1.00E4 ). OR
- A documented medical need (see 1.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 1.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 1.00C6e(i) ); or
- A documented medical need (see 1.00C6a ) for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device (see 1.00C6d ) requiring the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand (see 1.00C6e(ii) ); or
- The inability to use the remaining upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements ( 1.00E4 ). 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 1.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 1.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 1.00C6e(i) ).
- The inability to use a prosthesis(es); and
- A documented medical need (see 1.00C6a ) for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches (see 1.00C6d ) or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands (see 1.00C6e(i) ).
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 1.20. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 1.20 usually fail
One pitfall is stopping after the surgery and not documenting the amputation level in terms used by the listing (for example, at or above the wrists/carpal joints or at or above the ankle/talocrural joint). Another pitfall is for one upper plus one lower amputation (Subsection C), failing to provide the required additional documentation choice, such as a documented medical need for specific assistive devices or the inability to use the remaining upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related fine and gross movements. A third pitfall is for lower-limb amputation under Subsection D, not documenting both the complication timeline (lasting or expected to last at least 12 months) and the inability to use the prosthesis(es), plus the required walker/canes/crutches or wheeled and seated mobility device involving both hands. A fourth pitfall is missing that Subsection D requires medical documentation of both items (prosthesis inability and the specific mobility-device need), not just one of them.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Bring medical documentation that clearly supports the amputation level and side pattern for Subsections A, B, C, or D. For Subsection C, documentation must also match at least one of the listed additional criteria: a documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches, or a wheeled and seated mobility device using both hands, or a documented medical need for a one-handed hand-held assistive device requiring use of the other upper extremity, or a wheeled and seated mobility device using one hand, or the inability to use the remaining upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements. For Subsection D, documentation needs to cover complications of the residual limb(s) lasting or expected to last at least 12 months, plus medical documentation that there is an inability to use prosthesis(es) and a documented medical need for a walker/bilateral canes/bilateral crutches or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving both hands.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If the amputation level does not match Subsections A through D, or the required additional documentation is missing for Subsection C or D, the claim usually does not get decided under this exact listing. The process can still consider what can be done despite the impairment by using residual functional capacity (RFC) to evaluate work capability. That RFC assessment and the ability to do work are then considered alongside the medical-vocational factors SSA uses in step 5.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
At the start of an SSDI claim, SGA is the work-activity gate, meaning SSA looks at whether work counts as substantial gainful activity. For this listing, qualification depends on documented amputation level and, for Subsection C and D, specific mobility-device needs and fine and gross movement limitations or inability to use prosthesis(es). If approved under these listing criteria, SSDI also uses the trial work period and the extended period of eligibility, which apply after a favorable decision (and are designed to allow work testing before benefits stop).
Listing 1.20 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for amputation due to any cause disability claims.