How SSA Determines Disability
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits to individuals who are unable to work due to a severe medical condition. To determine whether an individual is disabled, the SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation process. The evaluation process considers an individual's age, education, work experience, and medical condition to determine whether they meet the criteria for disability benefits.
Step One: Substantial Gainful Activity
The first step in the evaluation process is to determine whether the individual is engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA refers to any work that is performed for pay or profit. If the individual is engaging in SGA, they are not eligible for disability benefits, regardless of the severity of their medical condition.
Step Two: Severity of Medical Condition
If the individual is not engaging in SGA, the SSA will evaluate the severity of their medical condition. The medical condition must be severe enough to significantly limit the individual's ability to perform basic work-related activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, and lifting.
Step Three: Listing of Impairments
The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that are considered severe enough to automatically qualify an individual for disability benefits, known as the Listings of Impairments. If the individual's medical condition is listed on the Listings of Impairments, they will be approved for disability benefits. However, if the medical condition is not on the list, the evaluation process will proceed to the next step.
Step Four: Ability to Perform Past Work
In step four, the SSA will evaluate whether the individual is able to perform their past work. This evaluation considers the individual's residual functional capacity (RFC), which is the maximum level of physical and mental activity they can perform despite their medical condition. If the individual is able to perform their past work, they will not be eligible for disability benefits.
Step Five: Ability to Perform Other Work
If the individual is unable to perform their past work, the SSA will evaluate whether they are able to perform other work. This evaluation considers the individual's age, education, work experience, and RFC. If the individual is unable to perform other work, they will be approved for disability benefits.
Age Groups and Disability Determination
The SSA recognizes that an individual's age plays a significant role in their ability to work. For this reason, the evaluation process for disability benefits considers age as a key factor. The SSA categorizes individuals into different age groups to determine disability eligibility.
For individuals under the age of 50, the evaluation process is the same as outlined above. However, for individuals aged 50 and over, the evaluation process changes slightly. At this age, the SSA recognizes that it becomes more difficult to find new employment, and it may be more challenging to adapt to new work environments. Therefore, the evaluation process gives greater weight to the individual's work experience and skills acquired over the years.
Listings of Impairments
The Listings of Impairments contain medical conditions that are considered severe enough to automatically qualify an individual for disability benefits. The list includes medical conditions such as cancer, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental disorders.
If the individual's medical condition is listed on the Listings of Impairments, the evaluation process stops, and the individual will be approved for disability benefits. However, if the individual's medical condition is not on the list, they can still be approved for disability benefits if they can show that their medical condition is equivalent in severity to a listed impairment.
Compassionate Allowances
Compassionate Allowances are a special provision that expedites the evaluation process for individuals with medical conditions that are so severe that it is clear that they meet the criteria for disability benefits. The Compassionate Allowances program is designed to ensure that individuals with the most severe medical conditions receive disability benefits in a timely and efficient manner.
Conclusion
The Social Security Administration uses a Five-Step sequential evaluation process to determine eligibility for disability benefits. Your age is a significant factor in the determination of whether you meet their criteria for a finding of disability. If you have an impairment that meets or equals one the the “Listing of Impairments” or a condition listed in the Compassionate Allowances list, your case may get approved faster than normal.
Rick Gach is an experienced and dedicated Social Security disability representative who can provide you with the guidance and support you need to successfully navigate the disability application process. From gathering medical evidence to representing you at hearings, Rick will be there every step of the way to fight for your rights and ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve. Contact Rick Gach today and take the first step towards securing the disability benefits you need and deserve. He can be reached at (407) 738-3718. Email any questions to rgach@ssd-sol.com.
