If you're considering applying for Social Security Disability benefits, you may be wondering what the definition of disability is according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). After all, meeting the SSA's definition of disability is a crucial part of qualifying for benefits.

The SSA defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least one year or result in death. In other words, to be considered disabled by the SSA, you must have a condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last for at least a year or result in death.

But what does "substantial gainful activity" mean, and how does the SSA determine if an impairment is "medically determinable"? Let's take a closer look.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

Substantial gainful activity is work that is both substantial and gainful. In general, work is considered substantial if it involves doing significant physical or mental activities. Examples of substantial work include operating a cash register, performing carpentry, or teaching.

On the other hand, work is considered gainful if it is done for pay or profit. In other words, if you're earning a salary or wages from your work, it's likely to be considered gainful.

The SSA has specific rules and guidelines for determining whether work is considered substantial and gainful. For example, the SSA uses a monthly earnings limit to determine if work is gainful. In 2021, if you earn more than $1,310 per month (or $2,190 if you're blind), your work is likely to be considered gainful.

Additionally, the SSA uses a "work comparison" test to determine if work is substantial. This test involves comparing your work to the work performed by others in your area. If your work is similar in content and demands to the work performed by others in your area, it's likely to be considered substantial.

Medically Determinable Impairment

In addition to meeting the SSA's definition of SGA, to be considered disabled you must also have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. But what does this mean?

A medically determinable impairment is a physical or mental condition that can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider. This could be a condition like cancer, diabetes, or depression. The SSA requires that you have medical evidence of your impairment in order to qualify for disability benefits.

In general, the SSA will consider any condition that is listed in its "Blue Book" of impairments to be a medically determinable impairment. The Blue Book is a listing of impairments that the SSA considers to be so severe that they automatically qualify an individual for disability benefits. If your condition is not listed in the Blue Book, the SSA will still consider it if it is determined to be medically equivalent to a listed impairment.

Duration of Impairment

The final requirement for meeting the SSA's definition of disability is that your impairment must have lasted, or be expected to last, for at least one year or result in death. In other words, your condition must be chronic and not likely to improve in order for you to qualify for disability benefits.

If you're not sure if your impairment meets this requirement, it's a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider. Your provider can give you an idea of how long your condition is expected to last and whether it is likely to improve.