An essential factor that needs to be given attention in claiming disability benefits is that you must prove you are severely disabled preventing you from doing any gainful activity for at least a year or your disability may cause your death. Determining if your claim is valid rests on shoulders of medical experts under SSA’s employ.

The Social Security Administration has set these standards in establishing what is “disabled.” One, if you are earning $700 a month or more, then you are not disabled. Also, if your condition does not interfere with your work, your claim will be denied. The SSA maintains a list of disabling impairments and if your condition is not on that list, they will have to determine if your condition affects your capacity to work. If you can no longer do work you used to do, SSA tries to see if you can do any other kind of work taking into account your age, education, past experience and transferable skills. If you cannot work, you will be considered disabled.