---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 C.F.R. § 404.1522"
title: "20"
number: "404.1522"
heading: "What we mean by an impairment(s) that is not severe."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/20/404.1522"
---

# §404.1522. What we mean by an impairment(s) that is not severe.

- (a) **Non-severe impairment(s).** An impairment or combination of impairments is not severe if it does not significantly limit your physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.
- (b) **Basic work activities.** When we talk about basic work activities, we mean the abilities and aptitudes necessary to do most jobs. Examples of these include—
  - (1) Physical functions such as walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, or handling;
  - (2) Capacities for seeing, hearing, and speaking;
  - (3) Understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions;
  - (4) Use of judgment;
  - (5) Responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers and usual work situations; and
  - (6) **Dealing with changes in a routine work setting.**

## Notes

### Amendments

[82 FR 5869, Jan. 18, 2017]

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 402, 405(a)-(b) and (d)-(h), 416(i), 421(a) and (h)-(j), 422(c), 423, 425, 902(a)(5), and 1320e-3; sec. 211(b), Pub. L. 104-193, 110 Stat. 2105, 2189; sec. 202, Pub. L. 108-203, 118 Stat. 509 (42 U.S.C. 902 note).

### Source

Source: 45 FR 55584, Aug. 20, 1980, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[82 FR 5869, Jan. 18, 2017]