Social Security considers you disabled if:
- You cannot do work that you did before;
- You cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s) - meaning you can't do any other jobs even if it's not a job you have done in the past; and
- Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.
The Five-Step Process
Social Security uses a five-step process in order to determine whether you meet the disability criteria described above.
- Are you working? For 2016, if you are currently working and earning over $1,130 per month, generally you are not disabled.
- Is your condition "severe" ? Your medical condition(s) must interfere with work-related activities.
- Is your medical condition on Social Security's list of disabling conditions? Also known as "listings", Social Security has a list of medical conditions that are so severe you are automatically found to be disabled if you meet or equal a listing.
- Can you do your prior work? If you don't meet a "listing" but your medical condition(s) is so severe that you aren't able to do your last 10 years of jobs.
- If you can't do your prior work, are there are jobs in the economy that you could do?
Contact Us
If you are disabled and unable to work contact us for a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability claim.