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In Order To Qualify For Social Security Disability You Must Meet Certain Disability Conditions Set Forth By The Social Security Administration.

Sebastian Tennant | US Gov Connect

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There are a number of conditions that must be met in order for an individual to qualify for monthly disability cash benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) when unable to work.

In order to be considered for Social Security disability, the claimant must first have worked at one time and acquired enough job credits with employers where tax contributions were made based on wages to Social Security insurance. Generally, this means that an applicant must have worked at least five of the ten years prior to the onset of the disabling condition, although exceptions have been made for younger applicants under age 22 where the parents’ work credits were applied.

A “disability” is strictly defined for SSA purposes as a severe and total medical incapacity that is permanent and has lasted at least one year, is expected to last longer than 12 months, or result ultimately in death, and prevents the individual from performing types of work they were capable of previously or adapting to other new forms of work.

SSA will not pay for short-term, temporary, or partial disability, nor will they authorize qualifying disability benefits if an applicant is still employed and earning over $1,000 per month, as of 2010.

The program rules with qualification criteria established by SSA assume that members of working families experiencing any condition short of total and complete disability have access to alternative supportive resources such as disability insurance, savings, investments, and worker’s compensation.

A health condition is considered to be severe and disabling if it interferes with the worker’s ability to complete basic on-the-job tasks. If it is determined that some employment activities can be performed, any claim for benefits will be denied.

In making their determination as to whether or not it is believed the applicant is totally disabled and can perform no other type of work, the SSA may look at a combination of medical reports, educational attainment, acquired transferable skills, and past work experience.

This is why it is important for individuals who are applying for disability assistance to maintain accurate copies of medical records, employment paperwork, and other pertinent documentation to help substantiate and clarify the extent of disability and prevent confusion during consideration for benefits.

There is also a list maintained by the SSA of health conditions considered to be severely disabling for which Social Security disability benefits approval is either automatic or granted immediately following a confirmed diagnosis, such as with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), acute leukemia, or pancreatic cancer, for example.

The SSA uses rapid computer screening as a means to identify and expedite such cases that have a high likelihood of being approved for allowable qualifying disability benefits.

Once approved, Social Security disability benefits continue until the recipient is capable of returning to regular employment. If full retirement age is attained while receiving disability benefits, retirement benefits automatically go into effect in lieu of disability benefits, and the benefit amount remains unchanged.

Numerous incentives have been incorporated into the program as part of special rules that encourage recovery and transition back to work where possible, including continuing health care coverage and benefits during any re-adjustment period.

If a claimant has experienced a significant injury, illness, or other disability, meets the above-outlined requirements established by the SSA, and is unable to perform basic skills or work at any type of substantial gainful employment, they might meet the qualifications necessary to be approved for SSA disability benefits.
Rules For The "Recent Work Test"

If you become disabled...	Then you generally need:
In or before the quarter you turn age 24	1.5 years of work during the three-year period ending with the quarter your disability began.
In the quarter after you turn age 24 but before the quarter you turn age 31	Work during half the time for the period beginning with the quarter after you turned 21 and ending with the quarter you became disabled. Example: If you become disabled in the quarter you turned age 27, then you would need three years of work out of the six-year period ending with the quarter you became disabled.
In the quarter you turn age 31 or later	Work during five years out of the 10-year period ending with the quarter your disability began.

Rules For The "Duration Of Work Test:

If you Become Disabled:	Then You Need To:
Before Age 28	1.5 Years Of Work
Age 34	2 Years
Age 38	3 Years
Age 42	4 Years
Age 44	5 Years
Age 46	5.5 Years
Age 48	6 Years
Age 50	6.5 Years
Age 52	7 Years
Age 54	7.5 Years
Age 56	8 Years
Age 58	8.5 Years
Age 60	9 Years.