To qualify for disability benefits under the Social Security Act, a person must meet the definition of disability, which is defined as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates disability claims using a five-step process, which includes determining if the applicant has worked enough years and if their condition meets medical criteria for severity. The following are some of the key criteria that must be met to qualify for disability benefits under the Social Security Act:

• The person cannot do work and engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of their medical condition.
• The person cannot do work they did previously or adjust to other work because of their medical condition.
• The persons condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least 1 year or to result in death.

It is important to note that Social Securitys definition of disability is different from that of other government and private disability programs, and that no benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability. The SSA considers a range of factors when evaluating disability claims, including the persons medical conditions, age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills they may have. The eligibility requirements for disability benefits include meeting specific medical criteria that demonstrate the severity of an individual’s impairment, and these criteria are designed to ensure that individuals who suffer from severe injuries or illnesses receive the financial assistance they need to support themselves and their families.