How Does Social Security Determine If Someone is Disabled?

Overall, to determine if you are disabled Social Security decides if you are able to still complete your past work or, if not, any other work. Generally, Social Security will collect all of your medical records and determine if you are able to do your past work. If Social Security determines you cannot complete your old job duties, then Social Security will consider if you are capable of doing any work in view of your health problems, education, age, and work experience.

Though it might seem odd, the Social Security Act requires that age be considered in determining whether you are disabled. The act mandates a claimant’s age be considered because Congress thought older persons would have a more difficult time adapting to a new line of work.

Social Security relies on a voluminous body of regulations to determine if you can work.