There are a few requirements that you must meet before the Social Security Administration can approve your request for disability benefits. The requirements are specific to the SSA and may not be the same as other agencies that provide benefits for disabilities. The biggest requirement is meeting the SSA’s very narrow definition of disability.
While another agency may qualify you as disabled or your doctor may say you have a disability, that does not mean you will meet the requirement set by SSA. You must make sure that you understand its definition in full. Ensuring your disability qualifies before you apply can speed the process up. You can then ensure that you provide the correct documentation and that your doctor fills out any forms properly.
The definition
The SSA defines disability as a physical ailment that prevents you from working for at least one year or that will result in your death. To determine if your disability meets this definition, the SSA will consider a few things about condition and work history.
Condition considerations
The SSA wants to see that your condition prevents you from doing the basic work duties you may have on any job, such as standing, sitting and lifting. There must be proof that your condition will prevent you from doing the basic activities for at least one year. You must also show that your condition will prevent you from doing work you have previously done and any other type of work even with modifications.
Even if you do meet these requirements, the SSA may not qualify your condition as a disability unless it is on its list of disabling conditions. This list is available on the SSA website. It provides exact names for conditions that you may compare your condition to.
Work history
The SSA will consider if you are working currently or within the past year. If you did work, then you must not have made over the current limit for earnings or you cannot receive benefits.
