Applying for Disability 5 Key Questions

Social Security Disability benefits can be a lifeline for those affected by a permanent or long term impairment. How can you unlock the five doors between you and the benefits you need?

(0:46) Applying for Disability: Question One

The first step in the process is to determine if you are “working” under Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines. Under SSA rules, if you’re earning more than a certain amount, you can’t be considered disabled. If you can pass through this first door between you and benefits, your case will be assigned to a local Disability Determination Services office.

(1:25) Applying for Disability: Question Two

How severe is your disability? Said another way, how long will your disability prevent you from working? Under SSA guidelines, your disability must prevent you from doing work activities for more than 12 continuous months.

(1:57) Applying for Disability: Question Three

Is your impairment on the SSA’s listings of disabilities? These listings were compiled by the SSA to reflect common conditions that may make you eligible for benefits, provided you can meet all the requirements in the listing for your impairment. These cover both physical and mental conditions that tend to be severely disabling. If you have an impairment from a listing and meet all the requirements in that listing, then you generally qualify for benefits.

(2:49) Applying for Disability: Question Four

What if you have an impairment in the listings but don’t meet the exact criteria? What happens if you have a severely disabling impairment that isn’t among the SSA’s listings? You can still qualify for benefits.

To qualify, you must show that you cannot do the kind of work you’ve done in the past. The past in this context refers to the 15 year period leading up to your disability. The SSA will look for the jobs you’ve held and how long you held them. For the job to count in their calculations, it must have lasted a minimum amount of time and you must have earned enough at that job.

So, can you still do the jobs from your past that meet those length and earning requirements? If the answer is no, you’ll proceed to question 5.

(4:01) Applying for Disability: Question Five

If you can’t do your past jobs, the SSA asks: is there a different job you can do? Said a different way, if your disability involves your legs, is there a job in the national economy that you can do with your arms?

As you can see, there are many steps to applying for Disability benefits, and each case — each client — is different. Learn more about applying for benefits at https://www.farrin.com/disability-law...

You don’t have to go through this alone. Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin so an experienced attorney can lead you through the maze. Our Disability department is led by a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability law. Call 866-900-7078 to request a free case evaluation or visit us online: https://www.farrin.com/contact-us/

Cases handled by lawyers who principally practice in our Durham (Main), Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, NC and Greenville, SC offices.
Attorney Michael Shepherd: 555 South Mangum Street, Suite 800, Durham, North Carolina