How does the Social Security Administration assess disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) assesses disability through an evaluation process. The SSA will review all of the provided medical evidence to determine if an individual meets the SSA’s definition of “disabled.” In order to meet the SSA’s definition of disabled, an individual must have a physical or mental condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least one year or end in death. During the evaluation process, the SSA will consider five factors: age, education, past work, medical condition, and residual functional capacity. Age is considered to determine if the individual is still able to do his or her past work. Education is considered to determine if the individual is able to learn skills needed to do a new type of work. Past work is considered to determine the physical and mental demands of the job. The SSA will look at the individual’s medical condition to determine the effects it has on his or her ability to function on a daily basis. Lastly, the SSA will assess the individual’s residual functional capacity, which is the individual’s ability to walk, sit, stand, lift, push, pull, and perform other physical activities. In California, the SSA looks to the guidelines set forth in the California Department of Social Services’ Disability Planning Law to assess disability for individuals with disabilities. The SSA also uses its Listing of Impairments, which outlines the criteria for specific disabilities, to help determine if an individual is disabled.

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How does the Social Security Administration assess disability?

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