What does Social Security consider a “severe” disability?
In West Virginia, Social Security considers a disability “severe” when it meets the following criteria. The disability must significantly limit an individual’s ability to do basic work activities—things like standing, walking, lifting, concentrating, and completing tasks on a timely basis. The disability must last or be expected to last for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. It must have caused or be expected to cause an individual to be out of work for a significant period of time. The Social Security Administration (SSA) also considers the impact of the disability on an individual’s ability to work. Depending on the situation, SSA may consider how the physical or mental impairment affects an individual’s ability to do the type of work he or she has done before, or any other type of work. In certain instances, the SSA may also consider an individual’s age, educational background, and job experience when making a decision regarding a disability. For instance, if an individual is over the age of 50 and has limited job experience or vocational training, SSA would consider him or her disabled even if it is not considered severe by Social Security’s standards. Ultimately, whether or not a disability is considered “severe” by the SSA will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The Administration will make an evaluation of the impairment and its impact on the individual’s ability to work, and make its decision accordingly.
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