Should You Apply for Social Security Disability?

Social Security disability is a benefit paid by the government to U.S. citizens who are deemed unable to work because of a disability. According to the Social Security Administration, over 10.6 million American adults received disability benefits in 2008. The Social Security Administration handles disability benefits and makes the determination about whether or not a person is qualified to receive the benefit.

The social security administration (SSA) is strict in its definition of a disabled individual. It is so strict that it does not matter to SSA if your primary care physician has deemed you as disabled. Here is how the SSA defines a disabled person:

• Your medical condition must prevent you from performing any substantial work.
• You must have had your medical condition for at least a year or your condition may result in your death.

If you do not meet both of these conditions, then you should not apply for social security disability.

Besides using the SSA's definition of disability to determine if you should apply for social security disability, you should also do a self evaluation based upon how SSA determines if you qualify for disability benefits. There are five steps that the SSA uses to determine if a person will receive disability benefits.

• SSA takes into consideration if you worked during the year you applied for social security disability. If you worked in 2009 and made more than $980.00 a month, the SSA may deny you disability benefits. Starting in 2010 this monthly earning limit raises to $1,000.00.
• For individuals who did not work during the year they applied for disability benefits, SSA determines if your medical condition is severe enough to interfere with basic work-related activities.
• The SSA has a list of disabling diseases and conditions. They will look to see if your condition is on this list. In most cases if your condition is found on the list and matches all of the criteria listed under that condition, you may receive automatic approval.