k6To decide whether you are disabled, the Social Security Administration uses a step-by-step process involving five questions. They are:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a variety of guidelines and criteria to determine disability. In seeking benefits, a claimant must not simply demonstrate a medical diagnosis. The applicant must also adhere to a rigid set of rules. When applying, a disability claimant will need to go through a complicated process.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are disbursed on the basis of several criteria. These criteria include a combination of financial, vocational and medical qualities. An applicant for disability will be carefully examined by the SSA. The SSA will only make a determination when all criteria are clearly met.
Eligibility for disability benefits is based on both financial and non-financial criteria. When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), an applicant must first show that he or she is insured. This financial eligibility is based on both past earnings and the number of quarters worked immediately prior to the disability.
If an applicant is able to earn beyond the SGA threshold, that applicant is likely not suffering from a total disability. Partial disabilities and temporary disabilities will not qualify and individual to receive Social Security disability benefits.
If the applicant is able to show that he or she does not exceed the SGA threshold, then the next step begins. The applicant must demonstrate a severe impairment. This impairment requires a medical screening for determination.
Whereas
A condition is considered severe if it is supported by “medical evidence” that said condition is a “physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments” of “sufficient severity.”
If the medical evidence only establishes a slight abnormality or combination of slight abnormalities, then that condition does not qualify as severe. Thus the determination is made that the applicant is “not disabled” because the condition is “not severe.”
Claimants must also show that they have endured the disability for a certain duration. The applicant is denied if his or her impairment
Is Not Expected To Lead To Death
If an applicant is suffering from one of these impairments, that applicant is considered disabled strictly on medical grounds. In these cases, the applicant requires no further evaluation. Even if an applicant does not have one of the 100 impairments, that applicant may still qualify.
If the applicant is deemed to “equal the Listings,” that applicant is permitted without further evaluations. If an applicant at Step 3 does not have a listed impairment or “equal” impairment, then the applicant must move on to
These jobs typically occurred within 15 years of the current application. If an applicant is determined to be capable of performing these past jobs, the applicant is denied. Applicants who are judged incapable of performing these past jobs move onto the next and final step.
This step considers the applicant’s residual functional capacity (RFC) as well. The DDS also examines the applicant’s other vocational factors, including age, education and work experience.
In the end, a determination is made as to whether the claimant can perform other work not previously performed. If the applicant is deemed unable to perform these jobs, the applicant’s claim is accepted.
The Six Domains Of Functioning Include:
There are a number of technical terms associated with deficits in these areas. A child’s impairment or grouping of impairments leads to “marked” limitations in three ways. A marked limitation prevents the child from independently starting, continuing and finishing activities in a given domain.
By comparison, an “extreme” limitation in a given domain denotes an impairment that “very seriously” interferes with that domain. If a child shows “marked” limitation in two or more of these domains, or “extreme” limitation in one of these domains, then the child’s impairments are equal to any listing. In this case, it does not matter if the child hasn’t met a formal listing. The child will be determined disabled and approved for benefits.
Overall, the SSA uses a number of criteria to determine eligibility for disability benefits. The SSA will look at vocational and medical qualifications, as well as financial criteria. Both children and adults can benefit from these disability benefits. However, the process of receiving benefits can be difficult.
This is where an experienced and professional disability advocate can help. A seasoned social security disability lawyer can help a client finally receive the benefits they deserve.
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