South Carolina Social Security Lawyers
Social Security Administration’s
Disability Qualifying Test
To determine whether you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, try our guide step-by-step guide below. If you still have questions about your eligibility for Social Security benefits in South Carolina, please contact our South Carolina Social Security Disability Attorneys at 888-490-2847.
1. Are you working?
If you are working and your earnings average more than $1,180 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. If you are not working, proceed to question 2.
2. Is your condition “severe”?
Your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities such as sitting, standing, walking, concentrating, or maintaining persistence and pace for your claim to be considered.
If your condition does not interfere with the above work-related activities, Social Security will find that you are not disabled. If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, proceed to question 3.
3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?
For each of the major body systems, Social Security maintains a list of medical conditions that are so severe, being diagnosed with one automatically qualifies you for disability. If your condition is not on the list, Social Security will have to decide if the illness or condition that you are suffering from is as severe as a medical condition that is on the list. If it is, you will be found disabled. If it is not, proceed to question 4.
4. Can you do the work you did previously?
If your condition is severe but not as severe as a medical condition on the list, then Social Security must determine whether it interferes with your ability to do the work you did in your most recent job. If it does not, your claim will be denied. If it does, proceed to question 5.
5. Can you do any other type of work?
If you cannot do the work you did in the past, Social Security must determine whether you are able to adjust to other work. Social Security considers your medical condition(s) and your age, education, past work experience and any transferable skills you may have. If you cannot adjust to other work, your claim will be approved. If you can adjust to other work, your claim will be denied.
If you have questions about whether or not you may be entitled to Social Security benefits, contact our South Carolina Social Security disability attorney today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.
By: South Carolina Social Security Lawyer Pete Strom
