The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits to individuals who have a medical condition that meets their definition of disability. In order to determine if your medical condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability, you will need to go through the SSA’s disability evaluation process.
The first step in the process is to determine if you are currently working and if your earnings are considered substantial gainful activity (SGA) by the SSA. If your earnings are above the SGA level, which is $1,310 per month in 2021, the SSA will consider you to be engaged in substantial gainful activity and you will not be eligible for disability benefits.
If you are not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the SSA will then evaluate the severity of your medical condition. To meet the SSA’s definition of disability, your medical condition must be severe enough to limit your ability to perform basic work activities for at least 12 continuous months.
The SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine if your medical condition meets their definition of disability. The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Are you engaging in substantial gainful activity?
As mentioned above, if you are engaging in substantial gainful activity, you will not be considered disabled by the SSA.
Step 2: Is your medical condition severe?
Your medical condition must be severe enough to limit your ability to perform basic work activities such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, and remembering for at least 12 continuous months. If your medical condition is not severe, you will not be considered disabled by the SSA.
Step 3: Does your medical condition meet or equal a listing?
The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that are severe enough to automatically qualify you for disability benefits. This list is called the Listing of Impairments, also known as the Blue Book. If your medical condition meets or equals a listing, you will be considered disabled by the SSA.
Step 4: Can you perform your past relevant work?
If your medical condition does not meet or equal a listing, the SSA will determine if you are able to perform any of your past relevant work. Past relevant work is work that you have done in the past 15 years that was substantial gainful activity and lasted long enough for you to learn how to do it. If you can perform your past relevant work, you will not be considered disabled by the SSA.
Step 5: Can you perform any other work?
If you are unable to perform your past relevant work, the SSA will determine if there is any other work that you can perform given your age, education, and work experience. If there is no other work that you can perform, you will be considered disabled by the SSA.
To determine if your medical condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability, you will need to provide medical evidence to the SSA. This evidence should include medical records, lab reports, and any other documentation that supports your claim. You should also provide a detailed description of how your medical condition limits your ability to perform basic work activities.
The SSA will use this information to determine if your medical condition meets their definition of disability. If you are approved for disability benefits, you will receive monthly payments to help support you while you are unable to work.
