Claimants
The Social Security Administration defines disability differently for adults and children.
Adults:
The law defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (work) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s), which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
Children:
A child under 18 will be considered disabled if he or she has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that cause marked and severe functional limitations, that can be expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
Adults:
The law defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (work) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s), which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
Children:
A child under 18 will be considered disabled if he or she has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that cause marked and severe functional limitations, that can be expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
A medically determinable impairment is one that is established by medical evidence that consists of signs, symptoms and medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques… not only by the individual’s statements.
