What Qualifies as Disabled?

What qualifies as disabled and how you qualify for Social Security disability benefits are two totally different topics. Today, we are here to share how the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides if you are disabled.

According to the Social Security website, “if you have enough work to qualify for disability benefits, they use a step-by-step process involving five questions to determine if you are disabled.”

The five questions are (Source SSA website):

1. Are you working? If you are working in 2021 and your earnings average more than $1,310 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. If you are not working, SSA will send your application to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office that will make the decision about your medical condition. The DDS uses Steps 2-5 below to make the decision.
2. Is your condition “severe?” – Your condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering – for at least 12 months. If it does not, SSA will find that you are not disabled. If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, we go to Step 3.
3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions? – For each of the major body systems, SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that they consider severe enough that it prevents a person from doing substantial gainful activity. If your condition is not on the list, SSA has to decide if it is as severe as a medical condition that is on the list. If it is, they will find that you are disabled. If it is not, they then go to Step 4.
4. Can you do the work you did previously? – At this step, SSA will decide if your medical impairment(s) prevents you from performing any of your past work. If it doesn’t, they will decide you don’t have a qualifying disability. If it does, they proceed to Step 5.
5. Can you do any other type of work? – If you can’t do the work you did in the past, the SSA will look to see if there is other work you could do despite your medical impairment(s). They consider your medical conditions, age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills you may have. If you can’t do other work, they’ll decide you are disabled. If you can do other work, they’ll decide that you don’t have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied.

We know all of these steps can be confusing. Maybe you have even applied, or been denied, but believe you still qualify. That is where we come in at The Keener Law Firm. We are here to guide you through the process, no matter if it’s your first or third time applying! Call us today at 770-955-3000 for your free 30-minute consultation and let us help you get the benefits you have worked to receive.