Answers to 3 Common Questions About Disability & SGA

Millions of Americans are affected by medical or congenital conditions that make them unable to support themselves through work. Still others suffer from such conditions without realizing they may be eligible for benefits. If you would like to learn more about disability benefits in the United States, read on. This article will present answers to three common questions.

What does it mean to be disabled?

The idea of disability is notoriously vague. For this reason, many people fail to understand the exact legal parameters involved in receiving Social Security disability benefits. In a nutshell, the laws around disability state that, in order to be eligible, an individual must have a condition that impedes them from supporting themselves through substantial gainful activity, or SGA.

It goes just beyond this, however. There is also what is known as a durational requirement involved. This means that, not only must you successfully prove that your impairment keeps you from supporting yourself through SGA, but you must also be able to

• prove that you have been unable to perform SGA for at least 12 months
• convincingly argue that your disability will prevent you from doing SGA for at least 12 months.

Is your specific condition covered?

Technically speaking, almost any condition could qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits, so long as it meets the SGA-related requirements. That said, certain conditions will involve a much lengthier application process. This is because it can become difficult to determine the extent to which a particular condition is actually impeding your ability to perform SGA.

Before initiating the disability claim process, it is a good idea to examine a complete list of disabling conditions considered serious enough to draw disability benefits. In addition, be aware that your conditions may also quality you for what is known as the Compassionate Allowance initiative. This program is designed to expedite the application process for severely disabled individuals.

Can you receive disability benefits for a mental health condition?

Though again it depends on the specifics of your case, generally speaking, the answer is yes. In fact, mental health issues are a contributing factor in about 45% of disability applications. Some of the mental health issues that can qualify you for benefits include:

• depressive syndrome
• manic syndrome
• bipolar syndrome

Be aware that, as with all disability claims, you must still successfully argue that your condition prevents you from performing SGA. This can be a more arduous task where mental health issues are concerned, mainly because it is not as easy to establish a direct relationship between your condition and your inability to work. Be prepared for a lengthy process. Resources like Bruce K Billman can help you navigate this process.

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