The Social Security Administration uses a five step process to decide if you have a disability. Many claimants find this to be difficult to understand. Working with a Chicago Social Security law firm can make it easier for you to grasp what the steps mean, and how they relate to your claim. The 5 step process can be broken down as follows:
The Five Steps
1. If you are working, does the work constitute substantial gainful activity (SGA)?
2. Do you have a medically determinable impairment? If so, is it severe?
3. Does your impairment meet or equal a listing?
4. Are you able to do past relevant work (PRW)?
5. Considering your residual functional capacity, age, education and work experience, are you able to do other work?
A Chicago Social Security Law Office on Evaluating the Steps
Lawyers in our Chicago Social Security law firm know that there are two main routes to a finding of disabled: (1) your impairment meets or equals a listing (step 3); (2) you meet all 5 steps.
Your disability must last 12 months. Lawyers in our Chicago Social Security law office can explain the exact meaning of the entire process. The terms above have specific meaning, that could be different from what you expect. Let our Chicago Social Security law firm help you avoid a misstep, like failing to meet one of the “non-disability” eligibility income or tax related requirements for SSD/SSI. Our Chicago Social Security law firm can also explain the six ways that you may be found not disabled.
The Six Ways That You Can Be Found Not Disabled
1. At Step 1-doing work that constitutes SGA;
2. At Step 2-no medically determinable impairment;
3. Condition is not severe, and you can do basic work;
4. At Step 4 you can do PRW;
5. At Step 5 you are able to do other work;
6. Condition does not last 12 months.
Our Chicago Social Security law firm is familiar with the 6 points above. We will fight against a finding of not disabled.
Work with Our Chicago Social Security Law Firm
Our Chicago Social Security law office is here to help. If you are looking for a Chicago Social Security law firm call us today.
