Summary

In this episode of Seeking Disability, hosts Thomas and Dana Duncan delve into the complexities of Social Security disability determinations. They clarify that having a severe impairment does not automatically qualify someone as disabled under Social Security standards. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the duration of the condition, specifically that it must last for at least 12 months to be considered disabling. They outline the sequential evaluation process used by Social Security, which includes five steps to assess whether an individual can maintain full-time competitive employment despite their impairments.

The Duncans break down each step of the evaluation process, starting with whether the individual is working and if their impairment is severe enough to limit their ability to work. They explain the significance of the residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment, which evaluates the individual's ability to perform work-related activities. The episode also highlights the role of vocational experts in determining if there are other jobs available in the national economy that the individual can perform, especially if they cannot return to their past relevant work. Overall, the episode serves as a comprehensive guide for listeners navigating the often confusing landscape of Social Security disability claims.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back to Seeking Disability

00:11 What is a Severe Impairment?

02:16 The Sequential Process

04:56 Step Two - Severe Impairments

06:36 Step Three - Listed Impairments

09:02 Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

12:47 Step Four - Past Relevant Work

15:03 Step Five - Can You Do Other Work That is Available?

19:38 Wrap Up and Credits

Keywords

Social Security disability, disability determination, severe impairment, residual functional capacity, vocational expert

To find out more, please visit duncandisability.com