Social Security defines disability very strictly, focusing on an individual's inability to perform substantial work due to a severe and long-lasting medical condition. Unlike other disability programs that might consider an inability to perform one's previous job, the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates whether a person can engage in any substantial gainful activity.
The Core Definition of Disability by Social Security
For an individual to be considered disabled under Social Security rules, they must meet specific criteria regarding their medical condition and its impact on their ability to work. The SSA's definition hinges on three primary components:
- Inability to Engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): The individual must be unable to do work that the SSA considers "substantial gainful activity."
- Medically Determinable Physical or Mental Impairment(s): The inability to work must be due to a physical or mental impairment that can be medically proven.
- Long-Term Impact: The impairment must have lasted, or be expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months, or be expected to result in death.
Understanding Key Terms in SSA's Disability Definition
To fully grasp Social Security's definition, it's important to understand the specific terms used:
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
Substantial gainful activity refers to work activity that involves doing significant physical or mental activities for pay or profit. The SSA sets a specific monthly income limit that defines SGA. If an individual earns above this limit, they are generally considered to be engaging in SGA and are therefore not considered disabled by Social Security, regardless of their medical condition. This threshold changes annually.
Practical Insight: It's crucial to understand that the SSA's evaluation does not merely consider whether you can perform your past work. Instead, they assess whether your medical condition prevents you from performing any type of substantial gainful activity. This often means that even if you can no longer do your previous job, you might not meet the SSA's definition of disability if you are capable of performing other types of work.
Medically Determinable Physical or Mental Impairment(s)
For an impairment to be "medically determinable," it must be established by medical evidence consisting of signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings. This means that subjective statements of pain or other symptoms, without objective medical evidence to support them, are generally not sufficient to prove a disability. The SSA relies on medical records, doctor's reports, and other clinical evidence to make a determination.
Duration Requirement
The long-term nature of the impairment is a critical component of the SSA's disability definition. A temporary condition, even if severe, typically does not qualify. The impairment must:
- Have already lasted for at least 12 continuous months,
- Be expected to last for at least 12 continuous months, or
- Be expected to result in death.
This requirement distinguishes Social Security disability from short-term disability benefits or workers' compensation, which may cover temporary work absences or injuries.
