Date last edited: 12/17/2007

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Disabled - Definition for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Benefits

To qualify for benefits you must meet all of the following:

  • You have a significant physical or mental medical impairment.
  • Your condition has lasted (or will last) for at least twelve months or it is expected to result in death.
  • You are unable to perform "substantial gainful activity"- that is a job of any type. Sometimes volunteer work will count if the work is "substantial."

The Maryland Medical Assistance Program also uses this definition of disability from the Social Security Act.
Source: Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN)

Last date of legal review March 2006 (MLAN/AC)
 
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