Understanding Whether You May Have A Claim
The basic idea behind Social Security Disability is simple: if a serious medical condition keeps you from working, you may be entitled to benefits. In practice, the Social Security Administration applies a detailed standard that can be difficult to satisfy without clear medical and work-history evidence.
From our office in Temecula, we help disability claimants throughout San Diego County, Riverside County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire understand whether they may qualify and what evidence SSA will expect.
The Basic Considerations
SSA generally looks at two major questions when evaluating eligibility:
- Did you work in jobs covered by Social Security?
- Do you have a medical impairment that meets SSA's definition of disability?
Both issues usually require more explanation than they first appear to require.
Jobs Covered By Social Security
Most jobs are covered by Social Security, and self-employed workers may also be covered if they paid Social Security taxes. You must also have worked long enough and recently enough to qualify based on your earnings history.
Some local or state government workers may have separate pension systems, so the work-credit analysis can vary by employment history.
How SSA Defines Disability
SSA does not approve benefits simply because a person has a diagnosis. The condition must prevent past work, prevent other available work, and be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
Our office helps clients show how their symptoms, treatment history, work background, and daily limitations fit that standard.
Talk With Our Office
If you cannot work because of a serious medical condition, do not guess about your eligibility. Speak with an experienced Social Security Disability advocate about your situation and your next steps.