When the Social Security Administration (SSA) receives an application for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, the application gets assigned to an adjudicator who is responsible for working with you to develop your claim, review your claim, and issue a decision regarding whether or not you are disabled under their rules. Under Social Security rules and regulations, there is a five-step process in reviewing your file and finding whether you are disabled or not.
The first step in that process is to determine whether you are currently working and earning above the substantial gainful activity amount for that month. In 2018, any worker earning more than $1,180 per month cannot be found to be disabled. If you are not working, your case moves on to the next step.
At step two, SSA is looking at your file to see if your condition significantly affects your ability to do basic work activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering, for at least twelve months. If your condition does not impact your ability to do basic work activities, SSA will find that you are not disabled. If SSA finds that your condition does interfere with basic work activities, your case moves on to step three.
At step three, SSA is looking to see if your condition is severe enough to be found in the list of disabling medical conditions. If your condition is not on the list, SSA decides if it is as severe as a medical condition that is on the list. If your condition either meets or equals one of the conditions on the list, SSA will find you to be disabled. If your condition does not meet or equal one of the conditions on the list, your case moves to step four.
At step four, SSA is reviewing your past jobs and comparing the requirements of those jobs to the limitations from your conditions to determine whether you can return to any of your past work. If you can return to your past work, SSA will find that you are not disabled. If you cannot return to your past work, your case moves to step five, the final step.
At step five, SSA is looking through the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) to see if there are any jobs that exist that you can perform, even with your limitations. At this level, they are considering your medical conditions along with your age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills you may have. If you cannot adjust to any other work, you will be found to be disabled. If you can do other work, SSA will decide that you don’t have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied.
If you have been denied disability benefits for any of the reasons listed above, call a Social Security attorney today to discuss your options and the possibility of appealing the decision.