Are You Disabled?
How does the Social Security Administration determine if you are disabled? Social Security defines disability as any medical condition that has prevented you from working and is expected to last more than twelve months or result in death. If this describes your situation, you should file for disability with Social Security.
When you file a disability claim with Social Security you must be prepared to submit your medical information including the names of your treating physicians, clinics, and hospitals, and their addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of treatment. You must also supply information about your work history, proof of citizenship and personal information such as date of birth and marriages.
Five Step Sequential Evaluation
Social Security uses a five step evaluation process to determine whether or not you are considered "disabled." This simply means that each step is considered in order. The five steps are as follows:
Step 1. Are You Working?
If you are not working, or your earnings are less than $940 monthly, you can qualify for disability. Proceed to the next step.
Step 2. Severity of Your Medical Condition
How severe is your medical condition? If it is severe enough to interfere with basic work-related tasks, you can continue to the next step.
Step 3. Qualifying Medical Conditions
The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify a person as "disabled". Keep in mind that there must be medical documentation from a physician that shows show you have these conditions. If you meet the criteria, SSA must find you "disabled." If you do not meet this criteria, you may still be found disabled. Please continue to the next step.
Step 4. Can You Do The Work You Use To Do?
If you are able to do the work you have done in the past, you will not be found disabled. However, if your condition impairs you to the point that you cannot do the work you used to do, you may qualify. You must go to Step Five.
Step 5. Can You Do Other Work?
By evaluating your age, education, skills, and work history, the SSA will determine if you can do any other type of work. If you can, you will not be found disabled. This is the last step for evaluating your disability.