What Is Considered Disability in Ohio?

Disability is used in a number of sections in Ohio law and administrative code to help determine when a person is eligible for benefits such as workers' compensation or Social Security disability. Generally, Ohio law considers you disabled if you are unable to perform any work for the past year due to an impairment.

Social Security Disability

• Under federal law, Ohio follows the same rules for determining Social Security Disability as other states. The disability must be determined through medical diagnosis.

Recognized Disabilities

• In Ohio, the Bureau of Disability Determination assesses whether you have met the medical requirements to qualify for the Social Security Disability Program. The bureau follows the Social Security Administration's Listing of Impairments to guide its decisions. Among those impairments that are recognized are heart disease, liver disease and certain mental impairments such as bipolar disorder.

Workers' Compensation Disability

• Ohio Administrative Code allows for payments to injured workers under "permanent total disability," defined as the inability to perform a paying job due to certain conditions suffered on the job. If you apply for permanent total disability, you must present evidence of your impairment from a physician, psychologist or psychiatrist.