Disability comes in many forms. To get Social Security disability benefits, you must be disabled in specific ways. Not every form of disability counts for SSD. How can you tell whether, for the purpose of SSD, you’re considered disabled?
Can you work?
Social Security disability won’t pay you for every form of disability. Many disabilities still allow individuals to work. For example, someone in a wheelchair might be able to handle a desk job. Your disability must make you incapable of doing work in a capacity that would allow you earn more than an average of $1,260 a month.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Can you still do your pre-disability work?
- If not, are you able to learn new skills to do a different job?
If you can do either of those things, Social Security is unlikely to deem you disabled.
How long will your disability last?
The Social Security Administration’s eligibility guidelines state that to receive SSD, medical experts must determine that your disability will prevent you from working for at least a year. Alternatively, if your disability will end in your death, you may not need to meet that time guideline.
Moving forward
The ins and outs of Social Security disability eligibility are complicated. Though questions like, “Am I able to work?” seem simple, there are shades of gray. Some disabled people might be able to do small amounts of work despite being unable to provide for themselves. In those cases, it might be possible to receive Social Security disability.
If you’re unsure whether you’re disabled enough to receive SSD, do further research. Talking to a doctor, an attorney or both might clear things up.