When it comes to how the Social Security Administration determines whether or not you are disabled, by their definition, there are several factors to be taken into consideration.
Here is the five step-by-step process that Social Security uses to help determine if you are disabled.
The first step in determining whether or not you are disabled is to determine if you are currently working. If you are working and, on average, make more than $1,130 per month, then typically you would not qualify for disability benefits. In some special situations where a disabled person is employed by a family member or in a special work shop, there may be exceptions to the work rule. If you are not working or you are working part time and your income is below this amount, then you can continue to the second step.
The second step is determining how severe your condition is. To be considered disabled, your medical condition must interfere with what are considered your basic work related activities. If you can still carry out your basic work functions, then your conditions would likely not be considered severe and you are likely not disabled under Social Security rules.
The third step is to establish whether or not your condition a listed impairment. In other words, is it a condition included on the list of disabilities that Social Security uses in determining disability. This is essentially a list of conditions for each major body system with corresponding objective findings. These conditions are considered to be so severe that claimants who have them are usually found disabled.
If your medical condition is not a listed impairment, then you would go to step four. This step determines whether or not you can continue the full time work you did before your medical or mental health condition impaired your work ability. If you can, then Social Security will determine you are not disabled. If you cannot do past work on a full time, sustained, reliable basis, then you will proceed to step five.
Step five will ask whether or not you can do a different type of work. Your level of education, age, and past work experience will all play a part in determining whether or not you have transferable skills.
While these are the first five steps in determining disability, there are several other requirements as well.
Connect with Jessica Dumas, Attorney at Law
For more information about the process for applying for SSI, connect with Jessica Dumas, Attorney at Law. We can help you walk through the process from beginning to end, so don’t wait. Give us a call today to get started. There’s never a fee unless you win.
