Who is Eligible for Social Security Disability?

In short, a good candidate for Social Security Disability benefits is someone who has a severe condition that has kept him/her out of work for a 12-month period, and he/she lacked the capacity to perform work during this period. Also, you should have worked for a long enough period of time (usually 5 out of the last 10 years) in a job that is covered under the provisions of the Social Security Act.

It is true that Social Security Disability benefits are not easy to obtain. The process is set up to discourage applicants from pursuing the matter. You should have a frank discussion with your treating physician about your medical impairments. If you are certain that you are unable to work, you should schedule an appointment with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney to discuss the different ways one may be found “disabled”. It is important to remember that the Social Security definition of “disabled” differs from the typical dictionary definition of “disabled”. It also differs from the disability standard of other legal areas including military benefits and workers’ compensation benefits.