Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits: Eligibility & Requirements

Social Security provides disability benefits for people who are disabled. According to the Social Security Online website, their definition of disability is different from that of other programs.

Definition

• According to the Social Security disability policy, benefits will be paid only if you are totally disabled. Benefits are not payable if your are partially disabled, or for short-term disability.

Rules

• To be considered disabled you cannot do the same type of work you did previously, you cannot do different work because of your condition and your disability should last for a year or result in death.

Considerations

• In order for your claim to be considered, your condition must interfere with your basic work-related responsibilities. Additionally, your ability to average a certain amount of money each month will also help determine your eligibility.

Significance

• The Social Security policy is based on the assumption that working families can use other resources for short-term disability, such as workers' compensation and savings.

Medical Conditions

• The Social Security Disability Policy maintains a list of disabling conditions that will automatically mean you are disabled. Please see "Resources" for further information.