How Is Disability Defined By Social Security?
Social Security uses a very strict definition of disability. You must meet all of these conditions:
- You can’t earn over a certain amount of money from work. In 2018, that amount was an average of $1,180 per month. (However, you can have an income higher than that if it’s from non-work income). If your work earnings are over the limit, Social Security considers you able to work and therefore not disabled.
- Your disability must have significantly limit your ability to do basic work-related functions, such as standing, sitting, walking, and being able to remember.
- These limits must be expected to last for at least a year.
- Social Security has a list of medical conditions that it considers serious enough to be qualifying disabilities. Your condition must either be on the list or be as serious, in Social Security’s evaluation, as the conditions on the list.
- You must not be able to do any type of work that you have done in the past.
- You must also not be able to do any other type of work despite your disability. Social Security takes into account your age, work experience, skills, and education in making this evaluation.
Hiring Terry Katz and associates to represent my interests in my Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability case proved to be a smart decision that yielded an extremely successful outcome.
Through the lengthy and intricate process I came to realize just how valuable having a team of highly skilled representation was, and that is just how to describe the law firm of Terry Katz and Associates “Highly skilled legal representation”. I’d like to thank the entire team who worked on both my cases all of whom were always professional, knowledgeable and extremely caring. Throughout my entire case all of my calls and emails were always returned in a timely manner. My questions always answered competently and professionally. I always understood the process and felt a confidence in the process that I would not have had if not for hiring Terry Katz and Associates.
Mostly I’d like to thank Ms. Langdale who worked tirelessly on both my workers compensation case and my social security disability case. Her representation and legal prowess in the court room was nothing short of impressive to witness. I will never forget how confidently represented and protected I felt during her opening remarks at my social security disability hearing.
During these difficult times I was truly grateful to have Ms. Langdale working so diligently and expertly for my interests.
