Do I Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits?

How Do 'They' Decide If I Medically Qualify for Disability?

From DDSD all the way to the Supreme Court, everybody uses the same “Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process” to determine if you medically qualify for benefits. This is very simplistic but it will give you a general idea of how “they” go about the decision and what you need to prove. The burden of proof is on you to show that you are entitled to benefits, not on Social Security that you are not entitled to benefits.

1. Are you “working”*?
   If YES, then claim denied.
   If NO, go to 2.
2. Is your condition “severe”?
   If NO, then claim denied.
   If YES, go to 3.
3. Is your condition on their “List of Impairments”?
   If YES, then claim APPROVED!
   If NO, go to 4.
4. Can you do the work you have done before?
   If YES, then claim denied.
   If NO, go to 5.
5. Can you do ANY other type of work?
   If YES, then claim denied.
   If NO, then claim APPROVED!

Again, the information above is just to give you a general idea of whether you medically qualify or not. People have written entire books on the details of what these five steps mean. Although words like "working" and "severe" might mean one thing to you and me, they have a very specific and technical definition under the law. Additionally, there are special rules for the blind. Social Security has a very good pamphlet called "Disability Benefits." I recommend it highly because it is authoritative and gives a good overview.