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You and Social
Security Disability Insurance
Here is an explanation of Social Security's
five-step process to determine if an individual
qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance:
STEP ONE simply
determines if an individual is "working (engaging in
substantial gainful activity)" according to the SSA
definition. Earning more than $860 a month as an
employee is enough to be disqualified from receiving
Social Security disability benefits.
STEP TWO implies
that the disability must be severe enough to
significantly limit one's ability to perform basic
work activities needed to do most jobs. For example:
- walking, standing, sitting,
lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying or
handling
- seeing, hearing and speaking
- understanding/carrying out
and remembering simple instructions use of
judgment
- responding appropriately to
supervision, co-workers and usual work
situations
- dealing with changes in a
routine work setting
STEP THREE asks
if the disability meets or equals a medical listing.
STEP FOUR
explores the ability of an individual to perform
work he has done in the past despite his disability.
If SSA finds that a person can do his past work,
benefits are denied. If the person cannot, then the
process proceeds to the fifth and final step.
STEP FIVE looks
at age, education, work experience and
physical/mental condition to determine what other
work, if any, the person can perform. To determine
disability, SSA enlists vocational rules, which vary
according to age. |
