When Is a Person Considered Disabled by Social Security Disability?

For Social Security disability or SSI purposes, to be considered disabled, a person must have an impairment, either medical, psychological, or psychiatric in nature. The disabled person's impairment must also meet the definition of disability which essentially states that the impairment must be severe enough that it keeps the person from working and earning above a certain amount, for at least twelve months.

In detail, what does this really mean, as far as the Social Security Administration (SSA) is concerned?

First, a person's medical records must contain evidence of a physical or mental impairment, or several impairments. But the presence of impairments doesn't necessarily mean you're disabled.

The impairment must be considered severe enough that it prevents a disabled individual from working, or, if the person continues to work, prevents the person from earning more than $1,010 each month (or $1,690 per month if blind). This amount is referred to by the Social Security Administration as SGA, or substantial gainful activity. This amount is before taxes.

The impairment must also last at least twelve calendar months, or be projected to last that long.

Therefore, applicants for Social Security disability should realize the following:

1. A claimant's condition must be severe enough to significantly affect the ability to work for at least twelve months. This means that while "back conditions" usually fall into the severe category, "wrist and ankle sprains" seldom qualify as severe disabling conditions.
2. Disabled individuals may be working when they apply for Social Security disability, and may continue to work even after they are approved--as long as they do not earn more than the SGA amount.
3. A person earning more than the SGA amount who applies for Social Security disability or SSI benefits will, essentially, be denied the same day without having their impairments or medical records even considered. This is referred to as a "technical denial."
4. Applicants must be unable to perform their past work or work related to their past work (for example, a car mechanic might be expected to switch to motorcycle engine repair if the job duties are similar enough, if one job is more tolerable physically).