Can people that are only partially disabled apply for Social Security Benefits?
Unlike other programs, the Social Security Administration has clearly defined rules governing the granting of Social Security benefits. The SSA rules clearly state that they only grant Social Security benefits for applicants that are totally disabled. Applicants that are only partially disabled or are only disabled for a short period of time cannot avail of Social Security benefits.
My doctors say that there is no treatment that can help me, so why do I have to keep going to doctors?
Even if you are suffering from a condition that doctors have deemed untreatable, you should still keep seeing a doctor in order to avail of medications that may help alleviate any symptoms or pain that you are experiencing. This is all the more important if you are still currently receiving Social Security benefits, since the SSA will check on your status from time to time and decide if you are still considered disabled. If you have not been seeing a doctor on an ongoing basis Social Security could use this against to you to state that you must not be disabled anymore.
I am able to work but not at what I used to nor can I earn the same money I used to. Can I still file for SS benefits?
The Social Security Administration grants Social Security benefits based on a few considerations. Foremost of these is the extent of your disability as defined by the Social Security Administration. The SSA considers you disabled if you are not able to perform the work that you did before, and that you cannot take up another line of work due to your condition. You are also classified as disabled if your illness or condition is anticipated to last for a year or if you are expected to die from your condition.
The Social Security program assumes applicants that have family members that are currently working and will have access to other means that will support them during times of short term disability. These resources may include compensation from your place of employment, insurance programs, and personal savings.
In order to determine the eligibility of a person to apply for Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration provides a list of medical conditions that are acceptable for the benefits. If you are currently suffering from a condition that is not included in the list, the Social Security Administration will determine your eligibility based on the severity of your medical condition.
If you are not able to work in the same capacity as you did in the past, and you are not able to perform alternate work, you will be considered eligible for Social Security benefits.