How does Social Security decide if I am disabled?

Social Security uses a five-step process to decide if you are disabled. First, it will look at your work activity. If you are working and earning more than a certain amount of money, you will not be eligible for benefits. Second, it will look at your medical condition. If it is determined that your medical condition is severe enough to prevent you from working, it will move to the third step. Third, it will determine if your medical condition meets the Social Security’s definition of disability. This requires a review of medical evidence about your impairment. The evidence must show that it has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or result in death. Fourth, Social Security will decide if you can perform your past relevant work. If it is determined that you can not, it will move on to the fifth and final step. The last step is to decide if you can perform other types of work. In determining this, Social Security will consider factors like your age, education, past work experience, and residual functional capacity. Ultimately, the decision will be based on the facts of your individual case. Social Security will consider all the relevant evidence before deciding whether you are medically disabled under its rules.

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