{"id":2935,"date":"2019-03-31T20:56:09","date_gmt":"2019-03-31T20:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esperaiellolawgroup.com\/?p=2935"},"modified":"2025-11-03T15:57:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T21:57:01","slug":"how-social-security-defines-disability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/news\/how-social-security-defines-disability","title":{"rendered":"How Social Security Defines Disability"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/how-social-security-defines-disability.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2945\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/how-social-security-defines-disability.jpg\" alt=\"How Social Security Defines Disability\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/how-social-security-defines-disability.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/how-social-security-defines-disability-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/how-social-security-defines-disability-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Social Security Administration (SSA)<\/a> uses a simple step-by-step process involving five easy questions to determine who qualifies for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/practice-areas\/social-security-disability\">disability benefits<\/a>. To make sure you\u2019re prepared we\u2019ve listed the five questions below for you to review, that way you have an idea of precisely what the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SSA<\/a> is looking for!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Question #1: Are You Working? <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If the answer is yes, and you are working, you average earnings for 2019 should not exceed $1,220 per month. If you are earning more than that amount, you typically will not be considered disabled.<\/li>\n<li>If the answer is no, and you are not working, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SSA<\/a> will send your application over to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office for final consideration. The DDS will traditionally use questions 2-5 to help make their decision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Question #2: Is Your Condition \u201cSevere?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In order for you to be considered disabled, \u201cyour condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, and remembering \u2013 for at least 12 months.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Question #3: Is Your Condition Found In The List Of Disabling Conditions?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The SSA maintains a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/disability\/professionals\/bluebook\/listing-impairments.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">list<\/a> of debilitating medical conditions considered to be severe enough to prevent a person from \u201ccompleting substantial gainful activity.\u201d If your condition is on the list, you automatically move onto question four. If not, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SSA<\/a> must investigate your case further to determine if your condition is as severe as those already listed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Question #4: Can You Do The Work You Did Previously? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf your medical impairment(s) prevents you from performing any of your past work,\u201d you will be able to move onto question five without delay. If, however, it does not, you will likely not qualify as disabled.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Question #5: Can You Do Any Other Type Of Work?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Just because you may not be able to go back to your old job, doesn\u2019t mean you are incapable of employment. The DDS will consider your medical conditions as well as \u201cyour age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills you may have\u201d to determine whether or not you can hold down a job. If you can, you will not be able to qualify as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/practice-areas\/social-security-disability\">disabled<\/a>. If, however, you cannot, you will be considered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/practice-areas\/social-security-disability\">disabled<\/a> for the purpose of receiving benefits.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Final Thoughts? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are plenty of variables to consider when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/practice-areas\/social-security-disability\">applying for disability benefits<\/a>, but to make sure you\u2019re on the right path and have the best chance at success, we encourage you to enlist the help of our remarkable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/practice-areas\/social-security-disability\">Social Security disability attorneys<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/\">Aiello Law Group<\/a>. We already know what you need to secure the approval you\u2019re looking for, and we can make sure you get it! Call us, today, at <a href=\"tel:13139644900\">313.964.4900 <\/a>or fill out the form in the sidebar or on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aiellolawgroup.com\/contact\">contact page<\/a>, and learn more about how we can help you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a simple step-by-step process involving five easy questions to determine who qualifies for disability benefits. To make sure you\u2019re prepared we\u2019ve listed the five questions below for you to review, that way you have an idea of precisely what the SSA is looking for! Question #1: Are You Working? [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2945,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[12,13],"class_list":["post-2935","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-social-security-disability","tag-ssdi"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How Social Security Defines Disability - Social Security Disability Attorneys | Workers Compensation Attorneys | Elder Law Attorneys | Aiello Law Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How Social Security Defines Disability. Call Aiello Law Group at 313.964.4900 or fill out the form below, today! 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