How The SSA Decides If You Are Disabled
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Columbus Ohio Social Security Disability Attorney and Lawyer providing experienced Social Security Disability legal services in Columbus, Franklin County Ohio, Central Ohio, and throughout the State of Ohio.

To decide whether you are disabled, the Social Security Administration uses a step-by-step process involving five questions. They are:

1. Are you working?
    
   If you are working in 2011 and your earnings average more than $1,000 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled.
    
   If you are not working, we go to Step 2.
    

2. Is your condition "severe"?
   
   Your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities for your claim to be considered. If it does not, the Social Security Administration will find that you are not disabled. If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, we go to...

3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?

   For each of the major body systems, we maintain a list of medical conditions that are so severe they automatically mean that you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list, the Social Security Administration has to decide if it is of equal severity to a medical condition that is on the list. If it is, the Social Security Administration will find that you are disabled. If it is not, the Social Security Administration then goes to Step 4.

   Note: The Social Security Administration has two initiatives designed to expedite our processing of new disability claims:

   • Compassionate Allowances: Certain cases that usually qualify for disability can be allowed as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed. Examples include acute leukemia, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and pancreatic cancer.

   • Quick Disability Determinations: The Social Security Administration uses sophisticated computer screening to identify cases with a high probability of allowance.

4. Can you do the work you did previously?

   If your condition is severe but not at the same or equal level of severity as a medical condition on the list, then the Social Security Administration must determine if it interferes with your ability to do the work you did previously. If it does not, your claim will be denied. If it does, we proceed to Step 5.
    

5. Can you do any other type of work?
    
   If you cannot do the work you did in the past, the Social Security Administration will see if you are able to adjust to other work. The Social Security Administration considers your medical conditions and your age, education, past work experience and any transferable skills you may have. If you cannot adjust to other work, your claim will be approved. If you can adjust to other work, your claim will be denied.

If you have been denied Social Security Disability Benefits, you should seek the legal advice and representation of experienced legal counsel to ensure you are fully aware of your legal rights, how the Social Security Administration operates, ensure all of your documentation is properly prepared and submitted in a timely manner, and fight for your legal rights in Social Security Disability legal issues and disputes.

Columbus Ohio Social Security Disability Attorney and Lawyer providing experienced Social Security Disability legal services in Columbus, Franklin County Ohio, Central Ohio, and throughout the State of Ohio.