How is disability defined by the Social Security Administration?
Disability under Social Security law is based on your inability to work. To qualify as disabled you must not be able to do the work you did before your illness or injury. Also, to qualify, it must be determined that you cannot adjust to other work because of your physical and/or mental limitation(s). Your disability must last, or be expected to last, at least one year, or to result in death. Factors that influence the legal finding of disability include your age, education, work experience, compliance with medical treatment, daily activities and the kind and extent of treatment. A five-step process is used in determining disability. • Why patience? Though you won’t find this requirement in Title II of the Social Security Act, it may be helpful to recognize that it may take up to one year to have a hearing on the facts of your Social Security disability claim and get a final decision. Note: Most people who receive disability benefits are workers who qualify on their own records and meet
The Social Security Act defines disability as an “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 12 months.”
