What You Should Know About Social Security Benefits
11/10/08
Is it possible to get Social Security benefits from SSA if I am only partially disabled?
Unlike other programs, the Social Security Administration has clearly defined rules governing the granting of Social Security benefits. The SSA will Social Security benefits only to people with total disability. Applicants that are only partially disabled or are only disabled for a short period of time cannot avail of Social Security benefits.
My doctors say that there is no treatment that can help me, so why do I have to keep going to doctors?
Even if your doctor has pronounced that there is no longer any treatment that can help you, you should continue seeking medical help in order to ease the pain or symptoms of your condition. This is all the more important if you are still currently receiving Social security benefits, since the SSA will check on your status from time to time and decide if you are still considered disabled. If you have not been seeing a doctor on an ongoing basis Social Security could use this against to you to state that you must not be disabled anymore.
I am able to work but not at what I used to nor can I earn the same money I used to. Can I still file for SS benefits?
Social Security benefits are granted under certain conditions. Foremost of these is the extent of your disability as defined by the Social Security Administration. The SSA considers you disabled if you are not able to perform the work that you did before, and that you cannot take up another line of work due to your condition. You will also be considered disabled if your condition is expected to last for a period of one year or more OR if it is expected to result in your death.
Social Security is designed to work on the principle that members can rely on family members to support them during their illness or that they have other sources of income. These sources could be anything from sickness or injury benefits from work to personal insurance and savings.
In order to determine the eligibility of a person to apply for Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration provides a list of medical conditions that are acceptable for the benefits. If you are currently suffering from a condition that is not included in the list, the Social Security Administration will determine your eligibility based on the severity of your medical condition.
If you are not able to work in the same capacity as you did in the past, and you are not able to perform alternate work, you will be considered eligible for Social Security benefits.
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