What Is The Criteria For Social Security Disability Benefits Eligibility?

October 18, 2013

Each year, hundreds of thousands of American apply for Social Security Disability Benefits due to suffering from a mental or physical condition that prevents them from working. Estimates show as many as 4.5 million United States citizens are currently enrolled to receive some sort of Social Security benefit and nearly one-quarter of 20-year-olds today will become disabled before reaching the full retirement age.

One of the most common questions asked by those considering applying for such benefits is, “What makes an individual’s condition eligible for disability benefits?” An article published by the Chicago Tribune explains there are four basic criteria that must be met in order to receive an approval on a disability claim:

• An individual must suffer from a “severe” medical condition that prevents them from holding gainful employment.
• The condition must be expected to be fatal or last longer than one-year.
• The condition must prevent an individual from performing the job functions they once did.
• The condition must prevent the patient from adjusting to other work.

If a condition meets each of these requirements, officials will then check to ensure the claimant has worked and paid into the system long enough to collect benefits.

The Social Security Disability Lawyers with the law firm of Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin recognize how complex applying for disability benefits can be. The firm suggests discussing your case with an attorney if you are wishing to receive these benefits or have a claim that was denied in the past.