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cial Security does not define disability in the same way that many of us think about disability. For Social Security, the only kind of disability that matters is a disability that leaves you unable to perform any work activity. This definition is one of the most strict definitions of disability in American law.
The law specifically states that an individual must be not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work.
Social Security’s definition of disability is really a hypothetical definition. Rather than focusing on whether work exists in your area that you could perform and actually be hired for, the definition requires Social Security to look at whether jobs exist in the national economy. It is possible to be found not disabled because Social Security believes there are certain jobs available in the national economy, even though those jobs do not exist in your community, state, or region.
Many people who live in rural areas or who have a limited ability to travel ask what does Social Security expect a person to do? The answer is that Social Security does not have any expectation. Instead, Social Security simply requires that you meet its definition of disability to be eligible for disability benefits.
The law does require that Social Security consider all of your impairments in combination. And impairment refers to a limitation on your ability to perform basic work activity. Basic work activity includes things like sitting, standing, walking, bending, pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying four physical impairments and things like following instructions both written and oral, getting along with coworkers and supervisors, maintaining attention, maintaining concentration, maintaining appropriate pace, working independently, maintaining appropriate appearance, and maintaining regular schedules for mental impairments. If your conditions do not impair your ability to do these basic work activities Social Security will consider you not disabled.
What does this mean for how Social Security evaluates your case and what you can do to help prove your disability? Social Security looks first to the medical records to determine how your conditions impair your ability to perform basic work activity. The best way to make Social Security aware of how your conditions impair your abilities is to discuss those impairments with your medical provider. It is also important to ask your medical provider to document those impairments, because such documentation is usually not part of the normal medical documentation process. If you don’t document your impairments, Social Security will be left to guess at what those impairments are.
Although Social Security’s definition of disability is very strict, if your condition significantly impairs your ability to perform work activity and you have been, or will be, unable to work for a significant period of time, you should consider filing for disability.