How Does Social Security Define Disability?
Social Security does not define disability the same way that other programs do. Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. You are considered disabled if you cannot do the work that you did before, and you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition. Your disability must last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death. Social Security does not provide short-term or partial disability benefits.
Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work because of a medical condition. You will be considered disabled if you are unable to do any kind of “substantial” work for which you are suited. (Usually, monthly earnings of $500 or more are considered substantial.) Your inability to work must be expected to last at least a year. Or, the condition that keeps you from working must be so severe that you are not expected to live.
A. Social Security defines “disability” as the “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for continuous period of not less than 12 months.
Under Social Security, disability is based on one’s inability to work. One is considered disabled if s/he cannot perform the work that s/he could before, and if s/he cannot adjust to other types of work because of her/his medical condition(s). To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, one’s disability must either last, or be expected to last, for at least a year or to result in death.
