To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and have a medical condition that meets Social Securitys definition of disability. The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs, and we pay only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability. To be considered disabled under Social Securitys rules, all of the following must be true:
- You cannot do work and engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of your medical condition.
- You cannot do work you did previously or adjust to other work because of your medical condition.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine whether the applicant is "insured" for Social Security disability benefits. Generally, this depends on whether the applicant has worked "long enough – and recently enough - and paid Social Security taxes" on earnings. With regard to disabled widow(er) or disabled adult child Social Security benefits, however, the applicant does not have to be insured based on the individuals own employment history. Rather, in those cases, the deceased spouse or the parent of the disabled adult child must have worked in Social Security employment and achieved the required insured status. SSA will also determine whether the individual is performing substantial gainful activity, which means earning above certain levels. If the individual is performing substantial gainful activity, then the application for disability is denied.
The Listing of Impairments describes, for each major body system, impairments considered severe enough to prevent an individual from doing any gainful activity (or in the case of children under age 18 applying for SSI, severe enough to cause marked and severe functional limitations). Most of the listed impairments are permanent or expected to result in death, or the listing includes a specific statement of duration. For all other listings, the evidence must show that the impairment has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. The criteria in the Listing of Impairments are applicable to evaluation of claims for disability benefits under the Social Security disability insurance program or payments under the SSI program.
In addition, individuals receiving SSDI may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if they have limited income and resources. To receive SSI, a person must meet the definition of disability under the Social Security Act (Act). A person is disabled under the Act if they cant work due to a severe medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least one year or result in death. The persons medical condition(s) must prevent t...
