Are you Eligible for Social Security Disability?

To decide if you are eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI), the first question to ask is whether you will be considered “disabled” under the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of the term. If the Social Security Administration determines that you are disabled and cannot work, you will receive monthly, monetary benefits from the SSA for as long as you remain disabled. Before committing to the ongoing cost of these payments, the SSA looks very carefully at your condition before determining that you are eligible for benefits. A professional disability claims company like London Disability can manage your case through this meticulous process and make sure that the SSA views your claim in the best possible light.

How do I know if I’m “Disabled”?

The Social Security Administrating will decide a person is disabled if it determines they are unable to work. The SSA looks first at whether the person can perform the same job they had before they were injured or became impaired. If you can, you are not disabled.

If, however, the person is unable to perform the same job, the SSA then looks at whether the person can perform any other job. The SSA takes into consideration, not only the medical or psychological condition causing the impairment, but also the person’s age, education, background and experience and looks at whether the person is capable of adjusting to a different job. The SSA will also look at whether the disability has already proven to be long lasting, is expected to last over a year, or to result in death. These factors would weigh in favor of a finding that you are disabled.

What other Criteria does the SSA look at to determine whether I am Disabled?:

• Are you employed? If you are working and making over $1,000 a month, you are not Disabled, under the SSA’s Criteria.
• Is your condition severe? You must show that your condition interferes with basic work related activities so severely that you cannot perform the necessary functions of the job.
• Is your condition found on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments? The SSA maintains a Listing of specific conditions that it deems are severe enough to warrant a further look at the overall condition of the person’s impairments. (The Listings can be found on the SSA Website.) If you suffer from one of these severe disabilities AND meet the other criteria, you are disabled. If your ailment is not on the list or does not meet the strict criteria, don’t worry, the SSA will use different means to determine your eligibility.
• What kind of work can you do? If your ailment prevents you from doing work that you have done in the past, then the SSA will see if you can adjust to another line of work. This is based on your educational level, past work experience, age, medical condition, and transferable skills. If you are unable to perform another line of work, you are Disabled.

If you do not meet any of the criteria, do not be discouraged. The SSA acknowledges that there are special cases that fall outside of this spectrum. If you need help determining your eligibility for disability, a reputable disability representation organization like London Disability can help you get on the right track.