Social Security Disability FAQs
How does Social Security define "disabled"?
To be found disabled, you must be able to prove that you cannot perform any of your past work and any other work. You also must show that your disability is expected to last for at least 12 months or be terminal (typically, this means that you will die within 12 months). For more information, read about Social Security's "five-step process" for determining disability.
Social Security's rules for determining disability may
surprise you.
SSA makes it easier to be found disabled as you get older.
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It becomes easier for people at age 50, for most people at age 55, and even more people at age 60.
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If you’re over age 55 and you cannot do any job you have done in the past 15 years, you should definitely apply.
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If you’re over age 50 and have a severe impairment that keeps you from doing all but the easiest jobs, you ought to apply.
But you can still be found disabled even if you're a younger person. If you’re under age 45 or 50 and you cannot do your past jobs and you cannot work full time at any regular job, that is enough to get disability benefits.
It's important to know that being unable to work and being found "disabled" by the Social Security Administration (SSA) are two different things. It's often difficult to convince SSA that someone is "disabled" even when they genuinely cannot work. But it's not impossible.
If you really cannot work, apply for social security disability benefits. And keep appealing denials if you cannot work.
DISCLAIMER-These FAQs are a public resource for general information. These questions and answers have been prepared by Spencer & Spencer for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. No client or other reader should rely on, act on, or refrain from acting based on information contained in this website without seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice.
Our law firm handles all types of claims for Social Security Disability - Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, children's Supplemental Security Income. We also handle appeals - to the Appeals Council and Federal Court.
If you want to speak to a lawyer in Colorado Springs about your disability case, you have several options-you can fill out our online case evaluation form, call us, or e-mail us, and a Colorado Springs attorney will evaluate your case for FREE.
We have many clients from around Southern Colorado and the Western Slope including Alamosa, Buena Vista, Denver, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Durango, Grand Junction, Salida, La Junta, Lamar, Monument, Pueblo, and Walsenburg.
Our attorney has helped thousands of people get the benefits they deserve. We look forward to serving you!
