Social Security Disability Information

Social Security Disability Information


The Social Security Administration (SSA) has its own definition of disability. The SSA defines disability as "the failure to perform any significant gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or medical impairment (or combination of impairments) that can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for at least 12 months."


To put it another way, an applicant must be unable to perform previous work or any other work for which they are eligible. Any job that an applicant does that generates an income of more than $1,550 per month is considered substantial gainful activity (the SSA periodically increases the amount). As a result, if a person can receive more than that amount, he or she is not disabled.

Social Security Disability Claim Form — Brighton, MI — Weir & McKenzie

The Social Security Administration may examine health history and documents from physicians and other medical professionals. It will also review data provided by each applicant detailing his or her everyday activities. These forms of physical disabilities include the inability to walk for long distances, the inability to bend, raise, or twist on a daily basis, and the inability to focus. The SSA will also give out applications to the applicant's family and associates to record the applicant's social functioning disabilities. The majority of the applications would entail a review of the SSA's "residual functional capability (RFC)." The RFC is a list of physical activities that an individual may participate in despite medical restrictions.


Following the SSA's determination of the RFC, an audit is conducted to determine if there are substantial positions in the economy that meet those constraints. The SSA has proposed the proverbial "ticket-taker" or "light duty inspection" jobs at this stage. Benefits are generally refused if these light jobs are not suitable for the claimant's context. The applicant's age is also very significant. If an applicant is under the age of 50, it is presumed that he or she can easily adapt to any new form of “light duty” or “sedentary” career. However, after the age of 50, age is seen as a significant barrier to finding new work, and after the age of 55, it is even more important. As a result, the older a person is when they apply, the easier it is to demonstrate a lack of ability to perform jobs and thus obtain benefits.

This Information Is General. Each Case Should Be Evaluated Individually.

Please call us at 810-227-1300 for a free, personal review of your case, or send us an email for a free consultation, and we'll get back to you.

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