The Social Security Administration is one of the country's largest and most complex bureaucracies. SSA and its affiliate agencies are responsible for handling all of America's disability (SSDI) and supplemental security income (SSI) claims. SSA has its own stringent definition of "disability" that often creates challenges for those applying for assistance.
According to SSA, a person is disabled if he or she can't work due to a severe medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least one year. The condition must prevent the person from doing work he or she did in the past and from adjusting to other work. Even though SSA reports roughly 38 million people live with "severe disabilities," SSA only provides disability benefits to approximately 9 million.
Navigating the Social Security Disability maze can be maddening. If you or someone you love has questions about a disability claim, contact Gulf South Law and attorney Heath Sullivan for help.