|
What does Social Security consider to be a disabling impairment or condition? This is actually two separate questions. An impairment (and the impairment or condition can be physical or mental), from the standpoint of the social security administration, is simply a physical or mental state that "results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques". Its not too hard to tell from the cited quotation that, when it comes to defining what is a medically determinable impairment, the social security administration focuses strongly on objective criteria. In essence, however, in most cases a medical impairment (physical or mental) is simply a condition for which a diagnosis has been rendered by a physician. As far as the social security administration is concerned, there is a world of difference between an "impairment" and a "disabling impairment". What is a disabling impairment when it comes to social security disability or an SSI disability claim? A condition is considered disabling when it lasts for at least 12 months (or can be projected to last that long) and prevents an individual from being able to engage in work activity that provides a level of income that is both substantial and gainful. Perhaps a better way of putting it, however, is this: a person who files for disability is considered to be disabled when their condition has lasted, or will last, for 12 months and prevents them from working at one of their past jobs or from engaging in some suitable form of other work, as determined by their age, level of education, transferrable work skills, and current physical or mental functional limitations. 
Social Security Disability and SSI Disability Information
Disability Advocates Help with Claims Free Case Evaluation |
|
|