Who can get Social Security Disability benefits

A person is entitled to receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits when they are no longer able to perform a substantial gainful activity, or SGA, as the result of a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months, or possibly result in death.

To satisfy the definition of disability used by Social Security, a person's disability or impairment must meet or equal the level of severity described by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA lists and documents lots of conditions, ranging from arthritis and high blood pressure to asthma, heart failure, and depression. Satisfying the SSA criteria will guarantee a disability approval. However, it is very difficult to win a disability approval; thus the great frequency of early denials. Most individuals will qualify for social security benefits another way---basically where their disabling condition is severe enough that they are unable to perform their past work while earning at least a substantial monetary amount each month. Currently the SGA amount is $900.00 before taxes.

Additionally, in this process, it must be concluded that the individual is not capable of doing certain "other work". What exactly is other work? Other work that a claimant might possibly do must be related, according to the SSA, to several factors: a person's age, level of education, and the type of work they did in the past. For example, a person with a 10th grade education who cannot do their past work will not be expected to perform other work that goes beyond their educational limits. Likewise, individuals with mental impairments (low IQ or depression or anxiety) will not be expected to perform other work that requires detailed attention and concentration. Finally, individuals who are physically incapable of doing more than sedentary work will never be expected to perform work that requires medium (lifting 50 lbs on an occasional basis) or even light (lifting 25 lbs on an occasional basis) exertion.