How does Social Security Define the Term “Disability?”

Under the Social Security law, “disability” means the “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months or result in death.”

In plain English, Social Security is asking if you have a medical problem that would prevent you from working a simple, entry-level, sit-down type of job on a reliable basis.  I win a lot of cases for clients who are not able to be reliable employees because of excessive bathroom breaks or because they would miss too many days each month for work.

Are you likely to qualify for Social Security disability benefits?  In this video, I talk more about Social Security’s focus on problems with job reliability and how you can use this understanding of the disability process to greatly improve your chances at winning.

Explanation About how Social Security defines the word “disability” from Jonathan Ginsberg on Vimeo.