Overview of the Overview of the

Disability ProcessDisability Process

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Definition of Disability

Inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

Social Security Act, §§ 223(d)/1614(a)(3)

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And. . .

An individual shall be [disabled] only if his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy. . . .

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Sequential Evaluation ProcessAdults

1. SGA? NO Go to 2. YES Not disabled

2. Severe? YES Go to 3. NO Not disabled

3. Meets/equals listing? YES Disabled NO RFC Assessment

4. PRW? NO Go to 5. YES Not disabled

5. Other work? YES Not disabled NO Disabled

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Step 1—SGA?

“Inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity. . .”

Nonblind level: $940/month – 2008

Blind level: $1,570/month – 2008

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“Severe”? Slight abnormality or combination of

slight abnormalities More than minimal impact on basic work

activities, e.g.--• walk, stand, sit, lift, carry• see, hear, speak• understand instructions, get along with

coworkers

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Step 3: Meet or equal?

“. . . only if his physical or mental impairment is of such severity . . . .”

“Listing of Impairments” (the listings)

“Meets” “Medically equals”

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The Listings Part A — Age 18+, some <18

Part B — < Age 18 only

“Body Systems” Musculoskeletal Special Senses and Speech Respiratory Cardiovascular Digestive Genitourinary Hematological Skin Endocrine Multiple Body Neurological Mental Malignant Neoplastic Immune Growth (Part B only)

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Residual FunctionalCapacity (RFC)

For steps 4 and 5 Physical and mental abilities

• e.g., sit, stand, walk, push, pull; vision, environment; understand, remember, carry out instructions, respond to supervision, get along with coworkers/others

8 hrs/day, 5 days/wk

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Step 4: Past Relevant Work?

“. . . is not only unable to do his previous work . . . .”

15 years SGA As performed and “as generally

performed”

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Step 5: Other Work?

“. . . but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy. . . .”

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Other Work

RFC, age, education, work experience

Medical/Vocational Guidelines (“Grids”)

Monte Hetland, M.DPediatric Medical Officer

Office of Disability Programs