The SSA (Social Security Administration) uses a five-step process to determine a claimant’s eligibility for disability payments. The sequential process looks at various aspects of the claimant’s work and personal lives, and it uses strict criteria in making a determination. Here, you will learn about the SSA’s process for determining eligibility.
Step 1: SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity)
If a person is not blind and makes more than $1070 per month as of this year, they are considered to be substantially and gainfully employed, and a Social Security claim will be denied regardless of the severity of the disability. If you make less than this amount per month, or you’re unemployed, the SSA will move on to the second step.
Step 2: Judging the Severity of the Disability
If a claimant’s psychological or medical issues substantially impair his or her ability to work (based on a determination by an SSA doctor), the SSA will move on to Step 3. If the impairment is not deemed severe enough, your Social Security claim will be declined.
Step 3: Does the Claimant’s Impairment Appear on the List?
The SSA has a list called the Listing of Impairments, which outlines the most common disabilities. If the claimant’s disability meets or exceeds the listing, the SSA considers them unable to perform substantial work. If a listing is not met, the SSA moves to the fourth step.
Step 4: Can the Claimant do the Same Job they did in the Past?
The SSA will determine if the claimant’s impairment is significant enough to prevent them from doing a job they’ve done within the past 15 years. If the SSA determines that you can do your past job, they will deny your claim, even with the help of a Social Security Disability Attorney in Oklahoma City; if they determine you can’t perform due to your impairment, the process moves to the fifth step.
Step 5: Can the Claimant do Other Work?
If the SSA finds that there are other jobs to which you can transfer your skills and perform successfully, your claim for disability will be denied. Most claimants are denied at this step. If your disability prevents you from doing other work, you’re deemed disabled and will receive benefits. For help in qualifying for SSDI payments, call a Social Security Disability Attorney in Oklahoma City with the Cain Law Office today.
