SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: AM I QUALIFIED? If you’ve been severely injured in an automobile collision, have suffered a work-related injury, or have other debilitating impairments, you may be qualified for Social Security Disability benefits. In order to learn more about the Social Security benefits you may be qualified for, please read on. If you have specific questions about your individual claim for Social Security benefits and want your questions answered, contact us at Ramsay, DeVore & Bennerotte today! What does Disability Mean? Disability as defined by the Social Security program is different than other programs. Other disability programs may pay for partial disability or for disability for a short-term. Social Security, on the other hand, uses a much stricter definition of disability. Social Security pays only for total disability. Disability under Social Security is based on a person’s inability to work. You may be considered disabled under Social Security rules if you cannot do work that you did prior to your disability or if the program decides you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition. Your disability must last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death. How do I Know if I’m Disabled? When evaluating your application for Social Security Disability, the Social Security program asks five questions: 1. Are you currently engaged in substantial gainful activity? • If you are working in 2007 and your earnings average more than $900 per month, you generally cannot be considered disabled.
• If you are not working, go to Step 2. 2. Is your impairment severe? • In order to be considered severe by Social Security Disability, your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities, including your ability to do simple things like walking, sitting, and standing.
• If your impairment does not interfere with basic work-related activities, you will not be considered disabled.
• If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, go to Step 3. 3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling medical conditions? • The Social Security Administration keeps a list of medical conditions it considers so severe that you will automatically be considered disabled if you suffer from one of these conditions.
• If your impairment meets or exceeds one of the listed impairments, you will be considered disabled without considering additional job-related factors.
• If your impairment is not severe enough to be on the list, go to Step 4. 4. Are you able to return to your past relevant work? • If your condition is severe, but not on the list of medical conditions, the Social Security program will determine if your condition interferes with your ability to do the work you did previously. The Social Security program will determine what type of work you can do and the degree of work you can do.
• If you are able to return to the work you did previously, your claim will be denied.
• If you are unable to return to the work you did previously, go to Step 5. 5. Can you do any other type of work? • If you cannot do the work you did in the past, the Social Security program will see if you are able to adjust to other work. It considers your medical conditions, age, education, past work experience, and any transferrable skills you may have.
• If you can adjust to other work, your claim will be denied.
• If your impairment prevents you from making an adjustment to any other work, your claim will be approved. If you’ve made an application for Social Security Disability Benefits and have been denied or if you have questions about your individual claim for Social Security Disability Benefits, call Ramsay, DeVore & Bennerotte at 651-604-0000 today! |
