The Social Security Administration runs two concurrent programs, namely Social Security disability insurance program and the supplemental security income scheme. The former is meant for persons who have contributed to the Social Security Trust in the form of Social Security Tax, the latter is extended to people who are disabled to the extent that they cannot do productive work and have no other proper income sources.
The administration has defined disability as a state where an individual is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to any physical or mental medically determinable impairment which can result in his or her death or may last for a period of more than a year continuously. Children with functional disabilities lasting for more than twelve continuous months are also covered in the scheme.
Medically Determinable Impairments are determined by medically acceptable tests and techniques. The impairment needs to be established, whether it is physical, or mental anomalies, by means of scientific evidences and evaluation of symptoms and not merely by the testimonials and statements of the applicant. The signs, symptoms and results of clinical tests are properly analyzed before arriving at a conclusion.
The applications go through Social Security field offices and state agencies like disability determination services, who determine whether the individual is eligible or not. If an unfavorable decision comes out, the applicant has the option to appeal for a review.
The role of a health professional in the process of disability determination cannot be discounted. They provide medical evidence of their patients at the application stage or act as medical experts during review hearings.
It is very important to understand the eligibility criteria and categories who can claim Social security disability benefits. Disabled individuals who are under 65 years of age and have paid social security taxes are primarily eligible. If someone is disabled before attaining the age of 22 and is dependent on an insured deceased or retirement benefit entitled parents, he or she is also considered eligible. Disabled widow or widower of a deceased spouse insured under social security can also lay legitimate claim for support. Social Security Insurance covers disabled adults above the age of eighteen years as well as disabled children under eighteen years of age.