What Is Considered a Disability for SSI?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to people who are elderly, blind or have disabilities. SSA makes a number of determinations to confirm an applicant's disability. If a person meets all of the qualifications, he may begin collecting Social Security disability payments to replace lost compensation.

Definition

• The Social Security Administration defines a disability as a medical, physical, psychiatric or psychological condition that prevents a person from working and earning more than $900 per month for at least 12 months. If your disability allows you to work and earn more than $900 per month, you may still be eligible for partial disability payments. However, if your disability isn't expected to last for at least 12 months, you may not be eligible for disability payments.

Effects

• Disability is defined differently, depending on whether it is being considered as part of a workers' compensation issue or a veterans' disability issue. Workers' compensation-based disability payments can be issued either as a total or partial disability. People applying for disability payments based on veterans' disability issues can be issued a percentage rating, such as 40 percent disabled. All other people, however, must be fully disabled to receive disability payments from the Social Security Administration.

Length

• In order to qualify, a person's disability must have lasted for 12 months. In some cases, however, a doctor's estimate that the disability will last longer than 12 months is acceptable. Consult your doctor and the Social Security Administration for the proper paperwork to establish the expected length of the disability.

Similar Jobs

• The Social Security Administration defines a disability as the inability to work. If you worked as a diesel engine mechanic and can no longer lift heavy objects required to do that job, you might be required to take a job as a small engine mechanic instead of receiving disability benefits.

Process

• The Social Security Administration makes disability determinations in its SSA Field Offices. In some cases, SSA may make the determination at state agencies called Disability Determination Services (DDS). The process involves officials in one of those offices determining the necessary documentation and paperwork. Once they have received the completed paperwork, they will make a ruling on the disability. If denied, they can advise you of the process to appeal the decision.