Please keep in mind that a lot of the terms used by Social Security to determine disability have specific legal meanings and probably don’t mean what you think they do.
Social Security has a list of impairments that it uses at this step to determine if you are disabled.
If your impairments is on the list, you must meet or “equal” the requirements as described by Social Security.
For example, if you are an epileptic Listing 11.02 might apply to you.
11.02 Epilepsy – convulsive epilepsy, (grand mal or psychomotor), documented by detailed description of a typical seizure pattern, including all associated phenomena; occurring more frequently than once a month, in spite of at least 3 months of prescribed treatment.
With:
A. Daytime episodes (loss of consciousness and convulsive seizures), or
B. Nocturnal episodes manifesting residuals which interfere significantly with activity during the day.
If you are an epileptic, you may not meet the requirements, but you may “equal” the listing, which means that your impairment doesn’t exactly meet the listing, but the limitations you have as a result of your impairment are as severe as they would be for someone that meets the listing.
Step three is pretty simple, if you do not meet or equal of one of the listed impairments, you move on to step 4 of the 5-step process. If you do meet or equal a listing, you will be found disabled and awarded benefits.
The 5-step process:
Step 1: Are you earning SGA?
Step 2: Has your condition lasted long enough?
Step 3: Do you meet or equal a listed impairment?
Step 4: Can you do your past work?
Step 5: Can you do other work?
Social Security uses a different method to determine if a child is disabled.
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This blog provides general information. Do not mistake it for legal advice. Please read our disclaimer.
Related posts:
- What Is the Five-step Process That Social Security Uses to Decide Disability Claims? (Part 1: SGA)
- What Is the Five-step Process That Social Security Uses to Decide Disability Claims? (Part 2: Severity & Duration)
- What Is the Five-step Process That Social Security Uses to Decide Disability Claims? (Part 4: Past Relevant Work)
- What Is the Five-step Process That Social Security Uses to Decide Disability Claims? (Part 5: Other Work)
- How Does Social Security Decide Disability for a Child?
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