Defining Disability

To be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you need to be found "disabled" under Social Security's definition. Legally, Social Security has an extremely strict definition of who's regarded as disabled. Kassin and Carrow of St. Louis, Missouri has the following information for your benefit. To be found disabled:

• You must have a severe impairment;
• You must be unable to do significant work because of your medical condition(s); and
• Your medical condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, no less than 1 year, or be expected to lead to your death.

For your son or daughter to be found disabled:

• Your son or daughter must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously restricts their activities; and
• The child’s medical condition(s) need to have lasted, or be likely to last, at least 12 months or result in death.

Some applicants have medical conditions which are so serious that their conditions plainly meet disability guidelines. To quickly identify and help these people, Social Security has a list of Compassionate Allowances, or conditions that will qualify for benefits based on evaluation minimal, official medical documents. There are also 14 types of “listed impairments” where SSA will consider specific medical tests and limitations to make a quicker disability determination, without the need to give consideration to age, education, or work experience. Most kinds of health problems, however, can vary from minor to severe. This makes characterizing disability complicated, as it depends on how badly the condition or illness has affected you.

I am 60% disabled. Can I get 60% of my Social Security disability benefits?

No. There aren't any percentages of disability in Social Security disability determination. For purposes of Social Security disability benefits, you're either disabled or not disabled according to the strict Social Security standards. There isn't any percentages of disability, nor any percentages of disability benefits.

I've got a few health problems, but no single one disables me on its own. It's the combination that disables me. Can I get Social Security disability benefits?

Social Security will review the combination of impairments that an individual suffers in deciding disability. Many claimants for Social Security disability benefits have more than one health problems and the combined effects of all the health problems need to be considered.

I got hurt in an automobile crash. I am disabled now, but I expect that I will be able to go back to work after I recover. Should I apply for Social Security disability benefits?

If you expect to be needing work for a year or more on account of illness or injury, you'll be able to file for Social Security disability benefits.

I am disabled due to a mental illness. Can mental illness work as the basis for a Social Security disability claim?

Yes. Both mental and physical problems must be viewed by Social Security in assessing disability claims.

Can people struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction get Social Security disability benefits for their addiction?

Congress forbids Social Security from paying disability benefits on the basis of alcohol dependency or drug addiction by itself. Nevertheless, just like anyone else, people suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction can have heart attacks, get cancer, or get sick in various other ways. Those who become disabled apart from alcoholism or drug addiction may be qualified to receive Social Security disability benefits.

We hope that you've learned something that will help you as you seek to learn more about disability benefits. If you've got any other questions, get a hold of Kassin and Carrow, Attorneys At Law. They help people all over St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri, as well as Metro East Illinois to get the benefits that they deserve.