What are SSA's guidelines for evaluating disability claims?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has set guidelines to help determine whether someone is considered disabled in order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits in Oregon. These guidelines are based on a person’s medical condition, age, education and work history. First, an individual must have a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 continuous months or end in death. If this requirement is not met, the individual does not qualify for benefits. In addition, the individual must be unable to do any “substantial gainful activity” based on their medical condition. This means that the individual is so limited in their ability to work that they can no longer support themselves. The SSA also considers an individual’s age when evaluating a disability claim. The older an individual is, the easier it is to be found disabled, as an individual’s age affects their ability to adjust to new job requirements and retrain in a new field of work. The SSA also considers an individual’s education and work experience when making a determination. The more education and work experience an individual has, the more likely they are to be found disabled as they would have less of a chance of finding new employment that accommodates their medical condition. Finally, the SSA will review all medical evidence and evidence of an individual’s work history to make a determination on their disability claim. When taken together, the SSA’s guidelines are meant to help determine whether an individual has a disability severe enough to prevent them from engaging in any gainful activity and thus qualify for disability benefits in Oregon.

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What are SSA's guidelines for evaluating disability claims?

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