| Are you wondering about the term "disability" | | | | eligible for social security disability |
| and how it is really defined? Each of us may | | | | benefits. |
| have an individual concept of disability and | | | | |
| who are those that can be considered disabled | | | | "Permanently disabled" is another artful term |
| and those who cannot be noted as one. | | | | used by society but not used in anyway by SSA |
| | | | to define disability. A doctor, in supporting |
| However, if you and all the others think that | | | | a patient's disability benefits claim usually |
| your idea of the definition of disability is | | | | states that the patient is permanently |
| the same as that of the Social Security | | | | disabled. |
| Administration's then you might have to | | | | |
| reassess your thoughts. | | | | However, it is a fact that most people |
| | | | applying for benefits under the Social |
| The Social Security Administration or SSA is | | | | Security disability program are not actually |
| the implementing agency of the Social | | | | permanently disabled. Even if it were true, |
| Security Act. One of its essential tasks is | | | | it is yet too early to ascertain if a |
| setting official definitions and | | | | middle-aged person would be able to work |
| determination of disability. | | | | again before they reach the age of 65. |
| | | | |
| In order to present a general context on the | | | | To clarify matters, wholly, the SSA does not |
| definition of disability, throwing | | | | call for you to become permanently disabled. |
| significant light on a couple of longstanding | | | | In all actuality, it has never been an issue |
| myths concerning its meaning is in order. | | | | at all in SSA whether a person's disability |
| | | | is or can become permanent. |
| First, SSA does not have a policy granting | | | | |
| that only "totally disabled" persons can be | | | | So what is indeed the definition of SSA and |
| eligible to obtain disability benefits. To | | | | its policy regarding disability? |
| set this myth straight, people have to | | | | |
| realize that "totally disabled" may be an | | | | Basically, the SSA and the federal law, as |
| artful term used by society, but the SSA does | | | | cited in the 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A) |
| not use such term as their definition of | | | | and 1382c(a)(3)(A) 42 U.S.C. §§ |
| disability. | | | | 423(d)(1)(A) and 1382c(a)(3)(A) defines |
| | | | disability as the incapacity to work or |
| Even if you were to ask, about a hundred | | | | become involved in any kind of "substantial |
| doctors to define "totally disabled" you | | | | gainful activity" due to any mental or |
| would probably get various differing answers. | | | | physical impairment. This impairment must be |
| However, more would define that a person who | | | | determined or diagnosed by medical |
| is totally disabled is a person who has lost | | | | authorities and could be expected to lead to |
| the ability to function in any way. | | | | death or might last continuously up to 12 |
| | | | months. |
| Generally, for you to become eligible to | | | | |
| apply for social security disability | | | | This definition debunks all myths claiming |
| benefits, the SSA does not require that you | | | | that disability needs to be total and |
| not be working in any way. On the other hand, | | | | permanent. You can be eligible for disability |
| this condition does not mean that you need to | | | | benefits once your impairment as diagnosed by |
| be physically or psychologically incapable of | | | | doctors has prevented you to work for 12 |
| functioning. | | | | months and more already. |
| | | | |
| Secondly, it is not true that you have to be | | | | It is time to reassess your case now and |
| "permanently disabled" in order to become | | | | reinforce your disability benefits claims. |