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Question |
If Yes |
If No |
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Are you working? |
SSA evaluates whether your work is "substantial gainful activity" (SGA). SGA means work that involves doing significant and productive physical or mental duties and is done (or intended to be done) for pay or profit. SSA will ask about the work you did including any dates you couldn't go to work, changes you made in your job duties, extra help you got at work, and extra work expenses because of your illnesses, injuries or conditions.
If, after considering the items above, your earnings average more than the allowable monthly amount for a given year, SSA will usually determine that you are doing SGA, and your application will be denied.
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If you are not working or if you're below SGA limits, go to step 2. |
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Is your illness, injury or condition "severe"?
Your condition must be severe enough to significantly limit your physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. |
Your condition is severe, go to step 3. |
If your condition is not severe, application is denied. |
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Is your condition one that is in the listing of impairments?
SSA maintains a list that describes impairments that are considered severe enough to prevent you from doing any gainful or SGA activity. |
Your condition is listed and it has lasted or is expected to last for at least a year or to result in death, your application is approved. |
If your condition is not equal in severity to a listed impairment, go to step 4. |
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Can you do the work you did in the past? |
If your condition is severe, but not as severe as any impairment described in the listing of impairments, then SSA determines if you can do the work you did in the past. If SSA determines that you can do the same work, your application is denied. |
If you can't do the same work, go to step 5. |
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Can you do any other work in the national economy considering your limitations, age, education, and past work experience? |
If SSA determines that you cannot do other work for at least a year, your application is approved. |
If you can do other work, your application is denied. |
