The Social Security disability program will allow you to receive cash benefits if you have an injury or illness that will keep you out of work for at least a year. Once it’s determined you have enough work history to qualify for benefits, your Social Security disability claim will go through a detailed process to assess whether or not you meet the rest of the criteria required to begin receiving payments. At each step, it will be determined if your application should move on to the next phase.

Here are the factors used to evaluate eligibility:

• Income Earnings: The first step will be establishing if you’re earning more than the gross monthly amount allowed by Social Security. If you receive income that equals more than this amount, you cannot be considered disabled.
• Medical Diagnosis: Next, your injury or illness must be severe enough to hinder your ability to do basic work-related tasks. Evidence will be gathered and carefully reviewed to verify how badly your condition has impacted your normal functions.
• Impairment Listing: In this step, your Social Security disability claim will be analyzed to see if your condition falls into any of the categories in the standard list of impairments. If so, you will be automatically deemed disabled and approved for benefits.
• Ability to Perform Past Work Duties: If your condition isn’t listed, your claim will continue to this step, where it’s determined whether or not your injury or illness makes you incapable of performing your previous work duties.
• Ability to Do Other Work: The final step is figuring out if you can do a different type of work if it was proven you can no longer carry out your former work responsibilities. Your age, education, skill set, past work experience, and medical condition will be taken into consideration.

This five-step process is used to examine every Social Security disability claim the program receives. It can be complicated to present your claim in just the right manner to get approved, which is why it’s beneficial to work with an attorney specializing in this area. The residents of Cincinnati, OH, turn to David W. Kapor & Associates when they require expert legal representation on disability cases. They offer valuable guidance through the application and appeals process. Contact them at (513) 721-2820 or visit their website to learn more.