Social Security Disability - What is a Disability?

Social Security Administration's Definition of Disability

The Social Security Administration has some qualifications to be considered a disability. To be defined as a disability, two conditions must be met:

1. The person is unable to do the work for which the disabled person is suited making at least $900 gross income per month (known as a Substantial Gainful Activity or SGA)
2. The condition has lasted continuously or is expected to last continuously for at least one year or will probably result in death.

Disabilities that meet these two requirements can be either mental or physical in nature or a combination of both types. The particular disability doesn't matter as long as the two requirements are met.

Social Security defines disability for these purposes to be a total disability, not a partial disability. The person applying for benefits must be considered completely disabled.

How is Ability to Do Work for Which You are Suited Determined?

In order to determine if you are unable to work, the Social Security Administration looks at two things:

1. You must be unable to perform the type of work you did for the past 15 years for a year or longer
2. You must be unable to perform any other type of work for which you are qualified

Other work for which you are qualified refers to work to which you could reasonably transfer your skills and is based upon your age, education, work experience, and any mental and/or physical limitations that you may have.

Time and Age Limits

There is no set length of time you can accrue benefits. As long as you meet the requirements of having a disability, you will receive Social Security Disability benefits.

There is no set age limit to receiving benefits. Once you reach age 65, however, your benefits will automatically convert into retirement benefits.

Earliest Time You May File a Claim

You must be disabled for five months prior to filing a claim. This is because benefits don't accrue until six months after the date of onset of your disability. The date of onset is the date when you were first unable to perform your work.