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Questions
Asked to Determine Disability
To decide whether you
are disabled, the government uses a step-by-step five question
process:
-
Are you working?
If you are working in 2008 and your earnings average
more than $940 a month, you generally cannot be considered
disabled. (If you are not working, go to Step 2.)
-
Is
your condition "severe"?
Your condition must interfere with basic work-related
activities for your claim to be considered. If it does
not, you will
not be found to be disabled. (If your condition does interfere
with basic work-related activities, go to Step 3.)
-
Is your
condition found in the list of disabling conditions?
For each of the major body systems, they maintain a list
of medical conditions that are so severe they automatically
mean
that you are disabled. If your condition is not on the
list, they have to decide if it is of equal severity
to a medical
condition that is on the list. If it is, they will find
that you are disabled.
(If it is not, go to Step 4.)
-
Can
you do the work you did previously?
If your condition is severe but not at the same or equal
level of severity as a medical condition on the list,
then they determine
if it interferes with your ability to do the work you
did previously. If it does not, your claim will be
denied. (If it does, proceed
to Step 5.)
-
Can you do any other type of work?
If you cannot do the work you did in the past, they
see if you are able to adjust to other work. They
consider your
medical conditions and your age, education, past
work experience and
any transferable skills you may have. If you cannot
adjust
to other work, your claim will be approved. If you
can adjust to other work, your claim will be denied.
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