Leflaw.com

Under the Social Security Act, "disability" means "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months."

Severity of the illness or injury is the key and a doctor?s report indicating that the claimant can still perform "light" or "sedentary" work may be cause for benefits to be declined. These stringent requirements are the reasons why approximately 60% of initial Social Security disability claims are denied. Individuals whose claims are denied must be prepared to request "reconsideration" of that decision within sixty (60) days of the date the notice denying the application was received in the mail. Even then, only about 20% of the reconsidered claims are approved.

Social Security disability payments are the right of a person who has paid into the system and who is experiencing a long-term illness or disabling injury. The process is not simple but the benefits can be substantial.