Many Ohio residents who have held jobs for decades are no longer able to work due to a physical or mental health condition. Americans who are out of work due to disability may file a claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA) for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. To qualify for SSD benefits, you must have:
- Worked jobs covered by Social Security.
- Earned the necessary number of work credits required.
- A qualifying disability.
Those applying for disability benefits may find it difficult to meet the SSA’s definition of disability. Generally, the SSA will decide if your disability qualifies you for benefits by evaluating the following:
- Whether you are still working and earning more than $1,350 per month ($2,260 for blind individuals).
- Whether you can engage in substantial gainful activity.
- Whether your condition has lasted for at least a year or is expected to last for at least a year.
- Whether you can do work you used to do.
- Whether you can adjust to a new type of work.
Many physical and mental health conditions are found in the Listing of Impairments in the SSA’s Blue Book. If your condition is listed in the book and meets all the listed criteria, the SSA will determine that you have a qualifying disability, as your condition will automatically be considered severe enough to prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity.
If your condition is not listed, you will have to prove that your condition qualifies by showing that it prevents you from doing the work you used to do and other types of work.
The SSA denies many claims for SSD benefits each year. An SSD attorney can help you file your application or appeal your denial to give you the best chance to get benefits.