[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/how-does-the-social-security-administration-decide-whether-im-disabled\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/how-does-the-social-security-administration-decide-whether-im-disabled\/","headline":"How Does the Social Security Administration Decide Whether I\u2019m Disabled?","name":"How Does the Social Security Administration Decide Whether I\u2019m Disabled?","description":"When you sustain a sudden injury or when a long-term condition takes a turn for the worse, you may realize that your health issues have become a significant impediment to your ability to work. In such moments, you might wonder whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits....","datePublished":"2025-01-19","dateModified":"2025-01-21","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/rbrlawfirm\/#Person","name":"Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/rbrlawfirm\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d0925a45a81b21fd1dd057ea2aa3cf0b7862bc7e8478f659a09444e627cf1a3f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d0925a45a81b21fd1dd057ea2aa3cf0b7862bc7e8478f659a09444e627cf1a3f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/rbrs-logo-96x96.png","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/rbrs-logo-96x96.png","width":96,"height":96}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/how-does-the-social-security-administration-decide-whether-im-disabled.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/how-does-the-social-security-administration-decide-whether-im-disabled.jpg","height":334,"width":500},"url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/how-does-the-social-security-administration-decide-whether-im-disabled\/","about":["Social Security Claims"],"wordCount":669,"keywords":["decisions","disability","SSA"],"articleBody":"When you sustain a sudden injury or when a long-term condition takes a turn for the worse, you may realize that your health issues have become a significant impediment to your ability to work. In such moments, you might wonder whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. However, getting a straight answer to this question can be challenging.In this article, we at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons explain what you need to know about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides whether you are disabled.Understanding Disability Under SSATo be considered disabled in a way that the SSA will recognize, you must have a health impairment that prevents you from working for 12 months or longer. Alternatively, your condition will qualify if health professionals expect it to contribute to your death, even if they predict that you have less than a year to live.It is worth noting that the SSA does not offer partial disability benefits. Either you fully qualify, or you don\u2019t.The Five-Step Evaluation ProcessWhen determining whether you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits, the SSA follows a process involving five questions. These are:Are You Working? \u2013 If you have average earnings of over $1,550 a month (or $2,590 if you are blind), you will generally be considered ineligible for disability benefits. If you do not work or your earnings are below the threshold, the SSA will consider your application with the remaining four questions.Is Your Condition Severe? \u2013 To be considered severe, your disability must prevent you from performing (or will likely prevent you from performing) work-related activities for 12 months or more.Is Your Condition on the List? \u2013 The SSA maintains a list of severe medical conditions. If your condition is on the list (and if your medical records contain all the necessary findings) or is as severe as a condition on the list, you will generally qualify. If not, you must proceed to the following question.Are You Capable of Performing the Work You Used to Do? \u2013 Unless your medical condition prevents you from doing any of your past work, you will not qualify. However, if it does, you will go on to the final question.Can You Perform Another Type of Work? \u2013 The SSA will consider your skills, experience, age, and education to determine whether you can do any other type of work despite your disability. If you can, your Social Security Disability claim will be denied.Medical Evidence and DocumentationThe SSA relies heavily on medical evidence to assess your disability claim. You\u2019ll need to provide comprehensive medical records, including doctor\u2019s notes, test results, and treatment history. The more detailed and recent your documentation, the stronger your case. Be sure to include records from all healthcare providers who have treated your condition.Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is a determination of your ability to perform work-related activities despite your limitations. The SSA uses this to determine what type of work, if any, you can still do. They consider physical abilities like lifting, standing, and walking, as well as mental capacities such as concentration and social interaction.Appeals Process If DeniedIf the SSA denies your initial application, don\u2019t lose hope. You have the right to appeal. The appeals process includes several stages:ReconsiderationHearing by an administrative law judgeReview by the Appeals CouncilFederal Court reviewEach stage offers an opportunity to argue your case. The SSDI attorneys at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons can provide the assistance you need to make your argument compelling.Contact Our Oklahoma SSA Disability Attorneys for HelpIf you need assistance with your SSDI application, we at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons are ready to help you through the process. Our Oklahoma social security disability attorneys have decades of experience, and we know how to get the results you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.This post was originally published in April 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in January 2025."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Does the Social Security Administration Decide Whether I\u2019m Disabled?","item":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/how-does-the-social-security-administration-decide-whether-im-disabled\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]