Social Security’s Definition of Disability
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: July 16, 2021
This month marks the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Disability affects millions of Americans. It can inhibit peoples’ quality of life and their ability to earn a living. Social Security is here to help you and your family, but there are strict criteria for meeting the definition of disability. The definition of disability under Social Security is also different than it is for other programs. We do not pay benefits for partial or short-term disability.
Social Security has a strict definition of disability. Social Security program rules assume that working families have access to other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers’ compensation, insurance, savings, and investments.
Social Security is also required by law to review the current medical condition of people receiving disability benefits to make sure they continue to have a qualifying disability. Generally, if someone’s health hasn’t improved, or if their disability still keeps them from working, they will continue to receive benefits.
Social Security is a support system for people who cannot work because of a disability. You can learn more about Social Security’s disability program on our website and also by accessing our starter kits and checklists.
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About the Author
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Robert L.
My hiusband had a stroke last sept 2018 and has been off work since then he’s hoping to get back to work in the next months the only money we have is our social security checks . He is 66 years old Can you help us his social security no is236-86-4453 and he is 66 years old phone number is 304″203-7124 or 304-844-0201 thank you
Traci H.
Robert Lee Dowdy,
I have seen your post and another that list your Social Security Number. Please, Please remove this from here. This is not a secure site to have your Social out there for anyone to view. There are plenty of scammers looking through sites such as this to take advantage of the elderly or sick. Leave your message but remove the SS# for your safety.
JCarlson
The information which is presented is good, but the article does not explain what is the law’s and SSA’s definition of disability. What is total and permanent disability?
Reynaldo T.
Thank you.
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Elaine M.
I have worked almost all my life even with severe hearing loss from otosclerosis. As a teen I started having ear surgeries on both ears which enabled me to work.
But now that I became older they have failed.
And now i am totally deaf in left ear from damage from surgery and have a hearing aid that helps some in right ear which will probably go also.
I am totally deaf without it and had to retire at 63 years old. After 25 years at Riddle Hospital.
I want to know why I cannotget any help for my Medicare premiums. I have been frequenting to no avail.
It is not fair. I get $1,053 from Medicare and $509.74 from my pension, and i am always having trouble paying my bills.
Why do partially blind get help and not hear i g impaired? It is a disgraceful since I worked almost my whole life startingat a young age .
Mental health clinic in billing for 7 years, and as a cook, etc. Many other places when my kids were small and we were having financial problems and husband on strike,etc.
Yours truly Elaine DeMarco and thank you for listening
o
Joe
This is the most valuable part of SSA for all Americans. Should tragedy strike, it is what stands between many young people and the abyss. This insurance is expensive to purchase on the market and rarely is a benefit offered anymore. You should make Americans more aware of this underappreciated program
Roberta K.
Doesn’t really give much information
Michael W.
I am going on 68 years old I had a slight heart attack and had to get two stents put into one artery which was totally blocked. I am currently receiving my Social Security benefits, I’ve been out of work since I had The Heart attack. My question is am I eligible to receive disability?
Laurie B.
You can only collect from one or the other, no one gets to collect from both.
When a person is on SSDI and hit retirement age they switch them over to Social Security retirement benefits and remove them from Disability benefits.
If you’re already at retirement age, disabled or not, you will only be able to collect from Social Security.
You can go to ssa.gov and get all the information you’re looking for.
Kevin S.
The system is broken. I have so many complaints and I’m disheartened to even begin to talk about. I served in the military for 4 years and I was injured in a car accident. I broke my fibula and tibia in both legs and it required 8 surgeries and I was denied disability 2 times before I finally saw a judge. I was homeless for 3 years and the judge didn’t award me back pay because I was only 49 years old at the time. The system is broken and it needs to be fixed. I know many people that are waiting for disability and most of them are homeless.
Marianella H.
I am in a country named Chile, I don’t have medical insurance, if I go for a surgery I need probably they will charge me millions, my back is damaged and I hardly can walk, I wish I could go back. Doctors in the US are the best, it is always a solution for a handicapped.