Who is Disabled Under the Social Security Act
The Social Security Act defines a disabled individual as a person unable to “engage in any substantial gainful activity” due to a physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or can be expected to result in death. Unable to engage in substantial gainful activity does not mean that you are unable to perform your prior work, it means that you are unable to do any type of work on a full-time basis. In reaching this determination, Social Security will also consider your education, age and work experience.
Social Security must make a determination on your being “disabled” for you to be entitled to benefits. It is not up to your doctor to make this determination, nor is Social Security bound by the decisions of the Veterans Administration. Social Security and the VA have very different standards to determine if an individual is disabled and entitiled to their respective disability benefits. Also, Social Security does not have percentages of disability. You are either disabled or not disabled.
The Social Security Act provides benefits not only to retired workers, but to workers and their dependents when they are disabled due to poor health. The types of benefits available to disabled workers are Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Disabled Adult Children, and Disabled Widow’s/Widower’s and Surviving Divorced Spouse Benefits. To be eligible for these benefits, you must be under retirement age, be found disabled, and possibly earned a minimum number of credits or quarters.
A Pennsylvania Social Security attorney at Calhoon & Associates can help determine if you are entitled to Social Security benefits. Call Calhoon & Associates at (877) 291-9675 for a FREE, confidential, prompt, no obligation consultation with one of our attorneys.
The law firm of Calhoon & Associates represents injured workers and those seeking Social Security Disability throughout Pennsylvania, including but not limited to, Altoona, Harrisburg, Pottsville, Allentown, Reading, Bloomsburg, Easton, Bethlehem, Norristown, Bristol, Williamsport, State College, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Lancaster, Waynesboro, York and all cities in Bucks County, Chester County, Columbia County, Dauphin County, Delaware County, Lackawanna County, Lancaster County, Lebanon County, Lehigh County, Luzerne County, Lycoming County, Montgomery County, Monroe County, Montour County, Northampton County, Northumberland County, Philadelphia County, Pike County, Schuylkill County, Wyoming County and York County, PA. Our offices are located at 2411 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA and 14 North Main Street, Suite 300, Chambersburg, PA, and we can arrange for meeting locations at law offices throughout the State.
Calhoon & Associates2411 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
1-877-291-9675
14 North Main Street
Suite 309
Chambersburg, PA 17201
1-877-291-9675
