The Social Security Administration has strict guidelines in place to determine who qualifies for disability benefits. If you plan to file a claim, it’s helpful to understand the process that’s used to confirm eligibility. To be approved, your application will need to clearly demonstrate that you meet the requirements established under disability law. The best way to make sure you’ve included all the evidence necessary to verify your claim is to work with an experienced attorney, such as Ray T. Kennington, Attorney At Law. For more than three decades, he has been committed to helping the residents of Ozark, AL, maximize their disability payments. Below, he goes over the steps involved in evaluating the validity of an application.

5 Questions That Help Determine if Your Claim Qualifies Under Disability Law

1. Are You Currently Able to Work?

Since disability benefits are intended for people who can no longer perform their job duties, you will not be considered disabled if you’re still currently working and earning an income. If you pass this step, your application will be sent to Disability Determination Services to assess your medical condition.

2. How Severe Is Your Condition?

In this phase of the application process, it will be determined if your condition is severe enough to keep you from working. You must be unable to do the same tasks you routinely did before experiencing your disability. This will need to be backed up with medical evidence and a diagnosis that expects the condition to last at least one year.

3. Is Your Injury or Illness Recognized by the Social Security Administration?

The Social Security Administration has a list of qualifying medical conditions, as designated by disability law. You will automatically become eligible for benefits if your ailment falls somewhere on the list or it’s viewed as comparable to another listed condition.

4. Are You Capable of Handling Your Previous Job Duties?

If your condition is not on the approved list, your application will move on to the next two steps. The Administration will again look to figure out if you are capable of handling your previous job duties. If you can provide sufficient proof that you are limited in your abilities, your claim will move on.

5. Do You Have the Ability to Perform Another Type of Work?

This final step is used to determine if you can do any other kind of work. In addition to your medical condition, the Administration will take into account your age, education, skill set, and past work experience. You won’t be regarded as disabled if they believe you can move into a different occupation on the same professional level.

It’s not uncommon for Social Security disability claims to get denied initially. Working with an attorney who is familiar with disability law will increase your odds for approval the first time you apply as well as during the appeals process. This is why it’s in your best interests to seek legal advice from Ray T. Kennington, Attorney At Law. Contact his law firm at (334) 445-1200, or visit him online for additional information.