Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits Eligibility

When considering a Social Security disability benefits claim, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers several factors, one of which is your ability to work. In nearly all cases, if you are working, you are not eligible for disability benefits. More specifically, according to the SSA, if you earn more than $1,010 a month, you are likely not eligible to receive benefits.

Criteria for Social Security Disability Benefits

So, to receive disability benefits, you must prove that you are unable to work. The SSA has a list of impairments that they recognize as affecting your employment, as well as information about disability benefits for children under 18 years old. Note that you could still receive benefits for a condition not on the SSA’s list if your condition is so severe that you:

• cannot perform the duties from your previous jobs;
• cannot adjust to other forms of work; or
• will be disabled for a year or will die from your disability.

Qualifying for Total Disability Benefits

The disability must be a total disability in order to be eligible for benefits. In other words, you cannot apply for benefits for a partial or short-term disability.

SSA's Assessment Process for Disability Claims

In short, the SSA will assess whether your disability qualifies for benefits by asking the following questions:

1. Are you currently working?
2. Is your condition considered severe? (It significantly limits your ability to do basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering).
3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?
4. Can you perform the work you did previously?
5. Can you do any other kind of work?

Evaluating Your Ability to Work

When considering a Social Security Disability benefits claim, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers several factors, one of which is your ability to work. In nearly all cases, if you are working, you are not eligible for disability benefits. More specifically, according to the SSA, if you earn more than $1,010 a month, you are likely not eligible to receive benefits.

So, to receive disability benefits, you must prove that you are unable to work. The SSA has a list of impairments that they recognize as affecting your employment, as well as information about disability benefits for children under 18 years old. Note that you could still receive benefits for a condition not on the SSA’s list if your condition is so severe that you:

• cannot perform the duties from your previous jobs;
• cannot adjust to other forms of work; or
• will be disabled for a year or will die from your disability.

The disability must be a total disability in order to be eligible for benefits. In other words, you cannot apply for benefits for a partial or short-term disability.

In short, the SSA will assess whether your disability qualifies for benefits by asking the following questions:

1. Are you currently working?
2. Is your condition considered severe? (It significantly limits your ability to do basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering).
3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?
4. Can you perform the work you did previously?
5. Can you do any other kind of work?