Disability

Social Security’s Definition of Disability

August 1, 2019 • By

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Last 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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  4. Kim B.

    Social Security Disability Benefits and SSI benefits are hard to attain. Recipients are not given benefits because they are lazy and just don’t want to work! People are awarded benefits because they are disabled under SSA’s five step evaluation. I hear so many people tell me that they know someone who is receiving disability benefits when “nothing” is wrong with them. Please consider that many people who look perfectly healthy can have end-stage cancer, schizophrenia, heart failure and other devastating diseases. https://www.disabilitylawfirmnc.com/

  5. Larry M.

    Try to find out,my oldest child is fixing to be 12 and he has adhd .Taking med in the morning an at night does he qualify for disability

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Larry. Thanks for your question. Social Security has a strict definition of disability for children. The child must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities; and the condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death. To more information on benefits for disabled children, check out our publication titled, Benefits for Children with Disabilities. We hope this helps.

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  7. Elena (.

    I have a question that I was hoping someone might help with. I am 65, have been working for the same company since 2007. I recently was put on permanent restrictions by my doctor due to my COPD and the fact that my job can at times expose me to harmful chemicals and other reasons. I am looking at a possible medical layoff and was wondering if this happens does that qualify me for SSD?

  8. Juan

    i have a life threatening disease and a job injury which left me totally unable to work, according to the taxes we contribute from working we paid for SSD, FICA and retirement taxes why do we only get SSD when we already paid into the system 3 insurances for disbility, we should get all 3 for the totally disabled. i am in that situation SSA does not want to give all at once.. are they violating our rights to be financially secure, i have tried to get them to give me SSD and retirement but they wont , so why are they withholding our insurance that we legally need!!!!

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  10. Susie

    My daughter has been on SSDI for many years. When she got married her SSDI benefit amount was reduced. When she later got divorced and she then went to SS to see about her amount being increased back to what it was prior to her marriage, she says they told her it could not be done. Is that the truth??? I could see that if she was living with her ex, but she most definitely is not nor would she EVER. Would you kindly let me know if her SSDI amount should be increased back to at least her pre-marriage amounts since she definitely is single and definitely still is disabled?

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