Social Security Disability Policy

Social Security provides disability benefits for people who are disabled. According to the Social Security Online website, their definition of disability is different from that of other programs.

Definition

• According to the Social Security disability policy, benefits will be paid only if you are totally disabled. Benefits are not payable if your are partially disabled, or for short-term disability.

Rules

• To be considered disabled you cannot do the same type of work you did previously, you cannot do different work because of your condition and your disability should last for a year or result in death.

Considerations

• In order for your claim to be considered, your condition must interfere with your basic work-related responsibilities. Additionally, your ability to average a certain amount of money each month will also help determine your eligibility.

Significance

• The Social Security policy is based on the assumption that working families can use other resources for short-term disability, such as workers' compensation and savings.

Medical Conditions

• The Social Security Disability Policy maintains a list of disabling conditions that will automatically mean you are disabled. Please see "Resources" for further information.