EDPNA EXAM 2025/2026 | UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES | VERIFIED ANSWERS | BRAND NEW
VERSION!
Question 1
Which statement best describes the term "severe" impairment according to SSA regulations?
A) An impairment is only severe if it is expected to result in death.
B) An impairment is only severe if it meets or equals a listing.
C) An impairment or combination of impairments is only severe if it significantly impacts at least
one basic work activity.
D) An impairment is only severe if it has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of
not less than 12 months.
E) An impairment is only severe if it prevents the claimant from performing their past relevant
work.
Correct Answer: C) An impairment or combination of impairments is only severe if it
significantly impacts at least one basic work activity.
Rationale: This is the definition used at Step 2 of the sequential evaluation process. A non-
severe impairment is one that does not significantly limit the ability to do basic work
activities like walking, standing, sitting, lifting, and understanding instructions.
Question 2
An ALJ asks a vocational expert (VE) if he agrees with the limitations assessed in a consultative
psychological report. The VE states that he agrees. Why is this line of questioning by the ALJ
potentially improper?
A) The ALJ did not ask the VE to cite specific jobs.
B) The VE is not a medical professional and should not be asked to agree with medical findings.
C) The ALJ should have asked the claimant's representative for their opinion first.
D) The VE is offering an opinion on medical issues by relating limitations to clinical findings.
E) The ALJ should have used the Dictionary of Occupational Titles instead of asking the VE.
Correct Answer: D) The VE is offering his opinion about the relationship of the limitations to
the clinical signs and findings, thus rendering an opinion on medical issues.
,Rationale: A VE's expertise is in the world of work—job requirements, skill levels, and the
number of jobs in the economy. A VE is not a medical source. By asking the VE to "agree" with
a psychologist's assessment, the ALJ is asking the VE to interpret and validate medical
evidence, which is outside the scope of their expertise.
Question 3
A client receives a dismissal order for a late hearing request. The order is dated three weeks
ago. What should you advise the client to do next?
A) File a new initial application for benefits.
B) File a request for Appeals Council review of the Dismissal Order.
C) File a civil action in federal district court.
D) Re-file the request for a hearing with a letter explaining the good cause for the late filing.
E) Contact the hearing office directly to ask the ALJ to reconsider.
Correct Answer: B) File a request for Appeals Council review of the Dismissal Order.
Rationale: The next level of appeal after an ALJ's action, including a dismissal, is the Appeals
Council. The client has 60 days from the date of the dismissal order to file an appeal with the
Appeals Council.
Question 4
An ALJ authorizes a representative's fee of $2,000. SSA pays the representative $2,000. Six
months later, SSA erroneously pays the representative an additional $2,000 for the same claim.
What is the representative's ethical obligation?
A) Keep the money, as it was SSA's error.
B) Contact the client to see if they want a portion of the extra money.
C) Refund the $2,000 excess payment to SSA within 30 days.
D) Wait for SSA to discover the error and request a waiver.
E) Donate the money to a charity.
Correct Answer: C) Refund the $2,000 excess payment to SSA within 30 days, as requested.
Rationale: As a matter of ethics and SSA rules of conduct, a representative is only entitled to
,the fee that was authorized. Knowingly retaining an erroneous overpayment is a violation.
The representative must promptly refund the excess payment to SSA.
Question 5
Social Security benefits that may be paid to the spouse or minor children of a disabled
individual who is receiving disability insurance benefits are called:
A) Quarters of Coverage
B) Disabled Adult Children Benefits
C) Auxiliary Benefits
D) Supplemental Security Income
E) Special Insured Status Benefits
Correct Answer: C) Auxiliary Benefits
Rationale: Auxiliary benefits (or dependent's benefits) are monthly benefits paid to eligible
family members of a worker who is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
Question 6
What is a "Quarter of Coverage" (QC)?
A) A three-month period of employment where an employee contributes to Social Security.
B) The amount of benefits a claimant receives every three months.
C) A period of four months during which a claimant can appeal a decision.
D) A specific type of medical evidence required for a disability claim.
E) The number of years a claimant has worked full-time.
Correct Answer: A) A three-month period of employment where an employee contributes to
Social Security.
Rationale: Quarters of Coverage, also called "credits," are the building blocks of Social Security
insured status. A worker earns QCs by working and paying Social Security taxes.
Question 7
What is the standard deadline for filing an appeal of a Social Security decision?
A) 30 days from the date of the notice.
B) 60 days from the date the notice is received.
, C) 90 days from the date of the notice.
D) 120 days from the date the notice is received.
E) There is no deadline for filing an appeal.
Correct Answer: B) 60 days from the date the notice is received.
Rationale: A claimant has 60 days to appeal a decision. SSA presumes that a notice is received
5 days after the date on the notice, effectively giving the claimant 65 days from the date of
the notice to file an appeal.
Question 8
To be eligible for Medicare based on disability, a claimant must typically be entitled to disability
benefits for how long?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) 18 months
D) 24 months
E) 36 months
Correct Answer: D) 24 months
Rationale: A person receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits generally
becomes eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. This waiting period begins
after the 5-month waiting period for SSDI cash benefits, for a total of 29 months from the
established onset date of disability.
Question 9
To be eligible for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits, a person must have a disability that
started before what age?
A) 18
B) 21
C) 22
D) 26
E) 31
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES | VERIFIED ANSWERS | BRAND NEW
VERSION!
Question 1
Which statement best describes the term "severe" impairment according to SSA regulations?
A) An impairment is only severe if it is expected to result in death.
B) An impairment is only severe if it meets or equals a listing.
C) An impairment or combination of impairments is only severe if it significantly impacts at least
one basic work activity.
D) An impairment is only severe if it has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of
not less than 12 months.
E) An impairment is only severe if it prevents the claimant from performing their past relevant
work.
Correct Answer: C) An impairment or combination of impairments is only severe if it
significantly impacts at least one basic work activity.
Rationale: This is the definition used at Step 2 of the sequential evaluation process. A non-
severe impairment is one that does not significantly limit the ability to do basic work
activities like walking, standing, sitting, lifting, and understanding instructions.
Question 2
An ALJ asks a vocational expert (VE) if he agrees with the limitations assessed in a consultative
psychological report. The VE states that he agrees. Why is this line of questioning by the ALJ
potentially improper?
A) The ALJ did not ask the VE to cite specific jobs.
B) The VE is not a medical professional and should not be asked to agree with medical findings.
C) The ALJ should have asked the claimant's representative for their opinion first.
D) The VE is offering an opinion on medical issues by relating limitations to clinical findings.
E) The ALJ should have used the Dictionary of Occupational Titles instead of asking the VE.
Correct Answer: D) The VE is offering his opinion about the relationship of the limitations to
the clinical signs and findings, thus rendering an opinion on medical issues.
,Rationale: A VE's expertise is in the world of work—job requirements, skill levels, and the
number of jobs in the economy. A VE is not a medical source. By asking the VE to "agree" with
a psychologist's assessment, the ALJ is asking the VE to interpret and validate medical
evidence, which is outside the scope of their expertise.
Question 3
A client receives a dismissal order for a late hearing request. The order is dated three weeks
ago. What should you advise the client to do next?
A) File a new initial application for benefits.
B) File a request for Appeals Council review of the Dismissal Order.
C) File a civil action in federal district court.
D) Re-file the request for a hearing with a letter explaining the good cause for the late filing.
E) Contact the hearing office directly to ask the ALJ to reconsider.
Correct Answer: B) File a request for Appeals Council review of the Dismissal Order.
Rationale: The next level of appeal after an ALJ's action, including a dismissal, is the Appeals
Council. The client has 60 days from the date of the dismissal order to file an appeal with the
Appeals Council.
Question 4
An ALJ authorizes a representative's fee of $2,000. SSA pays the representative $2,000. Six
months later, SSA erroneously pays the representative an additional $2,000 for the same claim.
What is the representative's ethical obligation?
A) Keep the money, as it was SSA's error.
B) Contact the client to see if they want a portion of the extra money.
C) Refund the $2,000 excess payment to SSA within 30 days.
D) Wait for SSA to discover the error and request a waiver.
E) Donate the money to a charity.
Correct Answer: C) Refund the $2,000 excess payment to SSA within 30 days, as requested.
Rationale: As a matter of ethics and SSA rules of conduct, a representative is only entitled to
,the fee that was authorized. Knowingly retaining an erroneous overpayment is a violation.
The representative must promptly refund the excess payment to SSA.
Question 5
Social Security benefits that may be paid to the spouse or minor children of a disabled
individual who is receiving disability insurance benefits are called:
A) Quarters of Coverage
B) Disabled Adult Children Benefits
C) Auxiliary Benefits
D) Supplemental Security Income
E) Special Insured Status Benefits
Correct Answer: C) Auxiliary Benefits
Rationale: Auxiliary benefits (or dependent's benefits) are monthly benefits paid to eligible
family members of a worker who is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
Question 6
What is a "Quarter of Coverage" (QC)?
A) A three-month period of employment where an employee contributes to Social Security.
B) The amount of benefits a claimant receives every three months.
C) A period of four months during which a claimant can appeal a decision.
D) A specific type of medical evidence required for a disability claim.
E) The number of years a claimant has worked full-time.
Correct Answer: A) A three-month period of employment where an employee contributes to
Social Security.
Rationale: Quarters of Coverage, also called "credits," are the building blocks of Social Security
insured status. A worker earns QCs by working and paying Social Security taxes.
Question 7
What is the standard deadline for filing an appeal of a Social Security decision?
A) 30 days from the date of the notice.
B) 60 days from the date the notice is received.
, C) 90 days from the date of the notice.
D) 120 days from the date the notice is received.
E) There is no deadline for filing an appeal.
Correct Answer: B) 60 days from the date the notice is received.
Rationale: A claimant has 60 days to appeal a decision. SSA presumes that a notice is received
5 days after the date on the notice, effectively giving the claimant 65 days from the date of
the notice to file an appeal.
Question 8
To be eligible for Medicare based on disability, a claimant must typically be entitled to disability
benefits for how long?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) 18 months
D) 24 months
E) 36 months
Correct Answer: D) 24 months
Rationale: A person receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits generally
becomes eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. This waiting period begins
after the 5-month waiting period for SSDI cash benefits, for a total of 29 months from the
established onset date of disability.
Question 9
To be eligible for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits, a person must have a disability that
started before what age?
A) 18
B) 21
C) 22
D) 26
E) 31
