The 5 Step Disability Determination Process
In the United States, workers with a medical condition that prevents them from maintaining meaningful employment may be eligible for financial assistance in the form of Social Security disability benefits. However, in order to be considered eligible for these benefits, the individual applying for this financial assistance must first pass the Social Security Administration’s five step process for determining if their condition qualifies as a disability.
If you have a medical condition that prevents you from working, knowledgeable legal representation can help you fight for the benefits you need. Contact the Philadelphia Social Security disability lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130 today to discuss your case with a qualified member of our legal team.
Understanding the Process
The following are the 5 steps the Social Security Administration (SSA) takes in determining disability:
- Examining whether the worker is currently employed and making more than $1,000 per month. If so, they usually aren’t eligible for disability benefits.
- Examining the degree to which the condition interferes with an employee’s job functions.
- Determining whether the condition is on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions or if it is equally severe as conditions on the list.
- Determining whether the individual can still do the work that they did previously.
- Determining whether the individual could do any other type of work.
Through this process, the SSA determines whether or not an applicant’s medical condition is severe enough to be considered a disability.
Contact Us
If you or someone you know can no longer work because of a disabling condition, our team of dedicated legal professionals will help you fight for benefits. Contact the Philadelphia Social Security disability attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today at 215-238-1130 to learn more about the application process and whether you may qualify.