In order to qualify for disability benefits under Social Security you have to be found disabled.
Well, thank you Captain Obvious.
Ok. But, what does it mean to be disabled? Is it enough to have a medical impairment? Is the diagnosis, itself, enough?
In short, no.
Under Social Security regulations, it is not enough to have a medical condition. Your impairment(s) have to be severe enough to be prevent you from being able to engage in a “Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).” In most cases, a Substantial Gainful Activity translates to full time, competitive, employment.
The touchstone of a Social Security disability case is the question, “do your conditions keep you from being able to do some type of full time work.”
Read these articles for more information about work and employment and how Social Security applies Substantial Gainful Activity in disability cases.
Pingback: How Social Security reviews cases: the "5 step sequential evaluation process" | Colorado Social Security Law
I have a question about the Work Trial Period's allowable wages..
The amount an individual may earn seems to be inconsistent with the updated rules effective January 1, 2001 for seniors 55 years of age or older. As I recall the updated rules were contained in a package of regulations announced by President Clinton as part of the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. One of those updated rules that took effect January 1, 2001, increased the Work Trial Period Substantial Gainful Activity levels (beginning with raising the 2001 SGA to $740 a month) connecting the SGA increases in the national average wage index. Am I mistaken that the updated rules for Work Trial Period SGA levels for disabled (non-blind) individuals 55 years and older are: 2004 = $810 2005 = $830 2006 = $860 2007 = $900
2008 = $940 2009 = $980 2010 = $1,000 (est.) ?
J,
Take a look at http://www.socialsecurityinsider.com/2008/12/tr...
and
http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/twp.html
Thanks for writing!