Among the many forms of financial assistance that may be available to a person with a disability is the government’s Social Security Disability Insurance program.
A person may qualify for SSDI benefits based on their work history or potentially based on the work history of one of their parents. In either situation, the disabled person must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of being disabled before they may be approved to receive benefits.
How Social Security determines disability eligibility
As explained by the Social Security Administration, the agency reviews both medical and non-medical information as part of the process to approve or deny a person’s request for Social Security Disability. Non-medical information may include a person’s age, place of residents, other assets or income and more.
The Disability Determination Services reviews a person’s medical information that may include details about a diagnosis, a prognosis, test results and more.
Medical criteria for SSDI
At a high level, a person seeking SSDI benefits must have a medical condition that is expected to result in the loss of life or to last a minimum of 12 months. In addition, the condition must prevent a person from working to the level deemed “substantial gainful activity” by the SSA, meaning the person cannot earn enough provide for themselves. A disability may pertain to a mental or a physical disability.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give residents in Georgia an overview of how the Social Security Administration makes a determination about a person’s disability as it may relate to their qualifications for receiving SSDI benefits.
