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WHAT IS THE SOCIAL SECURITY DEFINITION OF DISABILITY?

Social Security disability (and SSI for that matter also) is a total disability program, not a short term or partial disability program, and the definition of disability used by the social security administration reflects this. Social Security states that you must not be able to work at your former job or profession, and without the possibility of being trained for other work due to your medical condition or conditions.

Also, the medical condition or conditions must last or be expected to last one year, or possibly result in death. Eligibility for SSIand Social Security disability, according to the SSA definition of disability, depends on your physical or mental limitations, which result from your medical condition or conditions, and how this affects your ability to work. So, when your claim is evaluated, consideration will be given as to whether or not you can return to your past work, and whether or not you can do other work.

The definition of disability used by the Social security administration is quite different from the definition used by the veterans administration which allows for percentages of disability. With social security disability and SSI, it is all or nothing.