Social Security Disability Eligibility

Many people wonder if they are eligible for Social Security disability benefits. For one to qualify for disability benefits, one must have a working history in jobs that Social Security covers. Additionally, one must have a disabling condition that’s under the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability.

How does the Social Security Administration find someone disabled?

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), one can acquire disability benefits if all of these conditions are met:

• You cannot work like you once could because of your medical condition(s)
• You cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s)
• Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or result in death

Please keep in mind the SSA adheres to strict disability guidelines and therefore just because one cannot work like they used to does not guarantee disability benefits. If you are over 50 years of age but are under full retirement age, then there are laws that may make it easier to get disability benefits.

The Social Security administration tends to favor cases where adults are above age 50, but if a disability claimant suffers a severe mental impairment that precludes all work activity, then age is not a key factor.

How does the Social Security Administration define disability?

The Social Security Administration has a strict definition of disability. They will run through a list to make a determination. The SSA will:

1. Determine if you’re currently working and look at your monthly earnings.
2. Consider if your disabling condition is “severe,” meaning it interferes with basic work-related activities.
3. See if your disability or disabilities fall under the list of disabling conditions.
4. Look to see if you can do the work you once did previously. This is to determine the severity of the disabling medical condition.
5. Look to see if there’s any other type of work you can do to see if there’s a way to adjust to other work.

Read more on Social Security disability requirements.

Balin Law disability attorney, Mira Chopra, explains how one is found eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Here is the Social Security disability eligibility video transcription:

“Who’s eligible for Social Security disability benefits? A lot of people wonder about this. One element that you need to have in order to get Social Security disability benefits is that you have to have a health problem that is affecting your ability to function.

 

The health problem by itself is not enough. But the health problem must affect your ability to function in some significant way. The other thing is that the problem has to have lasted at least 12 continuous months or be expected to last for 12 continuous months.

 

If you’re not sure whether or not you would qualify for Social Security disability benefits, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you figure that out.”

Are you eligible for disability benefits?

Call the experienced Social Security disability lawyers at Balin Law for a free, no-obligation consultation to see if you’d qualify for benefits 866-492-2546