What does the Social Security Agency cover?

According to the Social Security Agency “The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.

What is the definition of a disabled person?

“Disability” under Social Security is based on your inability to work. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if:

• You cannot do work that you did before.
• We decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s).
• Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

The SSA will ask you five questions:

• Are you working and making a substantial salary? If so, you do not qualify.
• If you are not working, do you have a “severe impairment” which interferes with your work activity? If not, you do not qualify.
• If you do have a “severe impairment,” is it a “medical impairment” as defined by the SSA in one of its Medical Listings of Impairments? If so, you are “disabled” and MAY qualify for benefits.
• If your impairment does not appear on the list, does it so disable you that you can’t perform your “past relevant work” (done within the past 15 years)? If you are able to do your past work, you are not considered to be disabled by SSA standards.
• If you cannot perform your previous work, does your impairment keep you from doing any other kind of work? If so, you are considered to be “disabled” according to SSA standards and are entitled to receive benefits.

If this sounds harsh and confusing, it is. 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.” To complicate things further, there are several types of social security disability benefits such as DIB (Disability Insurance Benefits), RSDI (Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance), and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). If you are medically disabled and unable to work, you must file a claim with the SSA and they determine if you meet their definition of “disabled.” Call us for assistance in completing these forms correctly.

No wonder people are denied all the time! When that happens, call us. We have an experienced team of attorneys and staff that will help you navigate through the red tape and paperwork to secure the benefits you deserve.