SSDRC




Filing an Application for Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability List of Impairments

Social Security Disability and SSI Back pay

Social Security Disability Status

SSI Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability and SSI Requirements

Social Security, SSI, and Mental Disability

How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Benefits?

Qualifying: What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability?


How Disabling Does A Condition Have To Be For Social Security Disability, SSDI Benefits?


 
The Social Security definition of disability explains how disabling a condition has to be to receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) or SSI benefits based on disability.

The definition of disability holds that for a person to be considered disabled, they must have a medically determinable impairment that has prevented them from working and earning a substantial and gainful income for twelve continuous months; or have an impairment that is expected to prevent this for twelve months; or is expected to result in their death.

Any mental or medical condition that meets the definition is considered to be a severe impairment. However, there are many individuals with severe impairments who are working full time jobs in spite of their conditions. Social Security considers not only the severity of an individual’s disabling condition but how restrictive their residual functional capacity (what they can still do even with their condition) is when making a disability determination.

Social Security establishes a monthly earnings amount that it considers to equate to substantial gainful work activity every year. If an individual is able to earn over the SGA monthly earnings amount without special work considerations (some employers allow employees to rest more, sit more, take more time off, or even let them earn their pay but produce less work), their disability claim will be denied without a being sent to a disability examiner at disability determination services for a medical determination.

Social Security uses medical records, disability questionnaires (both from the applicant and their third party contact), and any other evidence that might help them determine an individual’s residual functional capacity assessment when making a disability determination.

If an individual’s condition causes their capacity assessment to be so restrictive that they cannot engage in gainful work activity, they may be eligible for disability benefits.

Social Security should never be confused with partial disability programs, workman’s compensation, short-term disability, or a "percentage of loss disability program" such as veteran’s disability. Social Security disability is a total disability program and that means an individual’s impairment has to be so disabling that they are not able to work at a former job or at any other type of job that their age, education, and skills might make them eligible for.














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  • Social Security Disability & SSI Resource Center

  • Social Security Disability, SSI Questions and Answers












    Individual Questions and Answers


  • Does social security contact your former work employers when you file for disability?

  • How Long Does A Social Security Disability Appeal Take?

  • If Social Security Disability sends you to an Exam, will it be done by your doctor?

  • After you file for SSD, the Disability Examiner may contact you for additional information

  • Total Disability - Will social security try to determine if a person is totally disabled?

  • How does Social Security Disability Representation work?

  • Do Disability Lawyers Require A Retainer?

  • What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

  • What Will a Disability Lawyer Do to Win a Social Security Case?

  • Filing for SSI Disability

  • Medicare and Social Security Disability - Basic Facts

  • How can you speed up a Social Security Disability case?

  • Are Social Security Disability Claims Based On Back Pain Usually Turned Down?

  • What is protective filing for social security disability or SSI ?

  • How to Apply for Disability, What medical conditions can you apply for disability for ?

  • What is a disability according to the Social Security Administration?

  • Winning Social Security Disability Benefits For Mental Disorders

  • How Long Will My Case Be at the Social Security Hearing Office Before It gets Scheduled?

  • Disability Attorneys- Will they do your forms for you?

  • Can I lose my disability benefits at some point ?

  • The Social Security Disability and SSI Appeal Process

  • How Does Social Security Decide If You Are Disabled Or Not?

  • How long does it take to get a decision on Social Security disability or SSI ?

  • Social Security Disability Claims and Medical Exams

  • What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

  • How Do I Apply For Disability- What Is The First Step?

  • How long does it take to get an SSI decision ?

  • Is Social Security required to give you a decision on your disability case in a certain amount of time?

  • What are the rules for applying for disability?

  • Does Social Security Disability Come With Medicaid Benefits?

  • For Disability, What Does It Mean When A person Can Only Do Sedentary Work?

  • Can you win your Disability Case by Yourself?

  • Social Security Disability Medical Review

  • Appearing at the ALJ Hearing for Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits

  • How the Decision on a Disability Application or Appeal Under SSDI or SSI is Made

  • Getting Denied for Disability Benefits

  • If I get disability will my children receive benefits ?

  • What is the process if you are denied and get an SSI Denial or Social Security Disability Denial?

  • Social Security Disability Requirements

  • Filing for Social Security disability- what to bring when you apply

  • Social Security Administration Physical Consultative Exam (CE)

  • Can an adult who has been to college but hasn't worked for a long time get Disability Benefits?

  • Disability Attorney - Does Social Security pay the fee?

  • How do you apply for disability for your children ?

  • There are different Methods of Eligibility for Social Security Disability Children Benefits

  • If you are Denied for Disability, Should you File a new Application or File an Appeal of the Denial?

  • How will Social Security find you disabled?

  • Information for Winning Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

  • How does Social Security consider lupus as a disability?

  • If you appeal your Social Security disability claims how long does it take to receive a decision ?

  • Is multiple sclerosis considered a disability by Social Security?

  • If my medical condition keeps me from working will I get Social Security disability ?














    Special Sections


  • Answers to Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • Requirements for Social Security Disability, SSI

  • Social Security Disability and SSI Appeals

  • Social Security Disability SSI Tips and Advice

  • The Social Security Decision Process and what gets considered







    Return to Social Security Disability Resource Center


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    Return to -- Social Security Appeals Time Limit

    Return to -- Can I Talk To the Disability Examiner Working On My Case?

    Return to -- What Expenses Will A Social Security Attorney Charge In Addition To The Fee?

    Return to -- Do Most People Need To See A Judge To Get Disability Benefits From Social Security?

    Return to -- Social Security Disability Lawyers and 25% Back Pay

    Return to -- Will Social Security Attempt To Get A Letter From Your Doctor To Help Your Case?

    Return to -- What Is The Difference In SSD and SSI?

    Return to -- How is Social Security Disability and SSI Awarded?

    Return to -- Will my children get benefits if I get approved for disability?

    Return to -- Why Does It Take So Long To Get A Call Back From The Social Security Office?

    Return to -- Does Being Represented On A Disability Claim Win The Case Faster?

    Return to -- Applying for Disability according to state of residence

    Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI Blog ,

    Return to -- Social Security Disability and Money in the Bank

    Return to -- How long do you have To Be Out Of Work Before You Get Social Security Disability (SSD)?

    Return to -- The first appeal in a social security disability or SSI case

    Return to -- Using a Lawyer for an SSDI Disability Case

    Return to -- Social Security Disability SSI, Medical and Mental Conditions and Problems

    Return to -- Disability Lawyers - Questions about Hiring a Disability Attorney

    Return to -- Disability Lawyers in Various States

    Return to -- Narcolepsy and Applying for Social Security Disability SSI Benefits

    Return to -- New Jersey Social Security Disability SSI Lawyer Representation

    Return to -- Arizona Social Security Disability SSI Lawyer Representation

    Return to -- Heart attack and Applying for Social Security Disability SSI Benefits