How does the Social Security Administration Define Disability?
“Disability” is defined in the Social Security Regulations 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 a continuous period of not less than twelve months. In other words, to be found “disabled” by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you have to prove with medical evidence that you have an illness or injury that prevents you from being able to perform any full-time work for at least twelve consecutive months.
Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income have the same definition of disability. It’s the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) that can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a period of not less than 12 months. There is a five-step evaluation process for making this determination.
