What is the Social Security Administration's definition of "Disability"? The Social Security Administration's definition of "disability" is unique and differs from other disability programs such as Workers' Compensation or the Veterans Administration. The basic definition of "disability" is found in the Code of Federal Regulations under 20 CFR 404.1505:
"The inability to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months".
By breaking down this statement into its various elements, we can gain a better understanding of what it means.
"Substantial gainful activity" is the Social Security Administration's definition of "work". It encompasses activity that earns a gross wage of at least $840.00 per month. It does not mean money received from investment income or pension income.
"(A)ny medically determinable physical or mental impairment" means any physical or mental condition diagnosed by a doctor that in some way affects your ability to work. This can range from arthritis to depression. "Any" really means just that: ANY. It must be a medical condition that is expected to last more than 12 months. For example, a herniated disc may be resolved with surgery. However, the residual pain and/or arthritis may not. Note that the medical or mental condition does not have to be the result of an injury nor must it result in death.
The Regulation defining disability is really talking about the impact of a mental or physical condition on your ability to function. "Disabled" does not mean completely incapacitated. Rather, how does your physical condition, disease or mental condition affect your ability to perform work type activities on a sustained basis, 5 days a week, 8 hours per day? Even though the definition of "disability" may seem straight forward, it is actually a conclusion that is reached by the Social Security Administration after considering a number of different factors that are not stated in the definition.
