What is Social Securitys definition of “disability”?
The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are paid for partial disability or for short-term disability. Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. They consider you disabled under Social Security rules if you cannot do the work that you did before you became disabled and if they decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s). Your disability must also last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death. This is a strict definition of disability. Social Security program rules assume that working families have access to other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers’ compensation, insurance, savings and investments.
Social Security disability (and SSI for that matter also) is a total disability program, not a short term or partial disability program, and the definition of disability used by the social security administration reflects this. Social Security states that you must not be able to work at your former job or profession, and without the possibility of being trained for other work due to your medical condition or conditions. Also, the medical condition or conditions must last or be expected to last one year, or possibly result in death. Eligibility for SSI and Social Security disability, according to the SSA definition of disability, depends on your physical or mental limitations, which result from your medical condition or conditions, and how this affects your ability to work. So, when your claim is evaluated, consideration will be given as to whether or not you can return to your past work, and whether or not you can do other work. The definition of disability used by the Social security
