Navigating a Social Security disability claim can be a learning experience. There are all sorts of rules Social Security has in place that have to be adhered to and that means it is better to know some basics about the process before applying. Two issues that we will deal with today are temporary disability and the definition of disability according to Social Security.
First off, Social Security does not offer any temporary benefits based on a partial or temporary disability. Below is information from Social Security regarding the idea about temporary disability.
• This is a strict definition of disability. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for any disability lasting less than twelve months (unless it results in death).
• Social Security program rules assume that working families have access to other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers’ compensation, insurance, savings and investments.Secondly it is wise to learn about Social Security’s definition of being disabled. Below is information from Social Security that explains the agency’s definition of disability. Prior to reading that though, understand that Social Security has rules related to length of disability and specific medical requirements before the agency is willing to identify a person who is disabled and entitled to benefits. Below are the specifics from Social Security regarding the requirements set forth by the agency.
• Disability under Social Security is based on the inability to work.
• SSA considers an individual disabled if, due to an established medical condition, he or she:
– meets or equals one of our medical Listings (criteria that are presumed to preclude work for most people);
– can not perform any of his/her work that was done before; or
– cannot make an adjustment to other work
