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What are disabilities in the eyes of the social security administration? Social Security considers any mental and/or medical condition that has prevented an individual from working for the past twelve months (or is expected to prevent an individual from working for the next twelve months) to be a potential disability. However, Social Security disability (and SSI, of course) uses the medical disability criteria set forth in a disability guidebook (the blue book, or impairment listing manual) to determine the severity of an individual’s medical or mental condition. Consequently, an individual may feel that they are unable to work due to their mental and/or medical conditions, however Social Security may find them to be able to sustain substantial work activity according to the disability program rules and regulations. Remember, although Social Security does consider an individual’s actual medical and/or mental condition, the decision is based upon Social Security’s evaluation of an individual’s residual functional capacity. And residual functional capacity is what a person is still capable of doing despite the limitations that are caused by their condition (or conditions). What does this all mean? It means that Social Security determines an individual’s residual functional capacity, and this determination may disagree with an individual’s perception of their limitations and the individual’s physician’s recommendations. It also means that disabilities, from the social security administration's standpoint, are not simply diagnosed conditions, but, rather, conditions that prevent an individual from returning to their past work, and which also prevent them from engaging in alternate forms of work (the suitability of "other work" is mediated by one's education, work skills, functional restrictions, and also age). 
Social Security Disability and SSI Disability Information
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