Disability is determined through a process called Sequential Evaluation, which is described below:
If you are working and your gross earnings for 2017 are more than $1,170.00 in an average month, you generally will not be considered disabled. If you are not working or your gross earnings for 2017 are below $1,1700.00 in an average month due to a medical condition, then SSA will go to the next question.
Your condition must interfere with basic work related activities for your claim to be considered. If your condition is not severe, then SSA will not find you disabled. If your condition is severe, then SSA will go to the next question.
The regulations list impairments for each of the major body systems that are so severe they automatically mean you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list, then SSA has to decide if it is of equal severity to an impairment on the list. If your condition meets or equals one of the listed impairments, then SSA will find that you are disabled. If your condition does not meet or equal one of the listed impairments, then SSA will go to the next question.
If your condition is severe, but not at the same or equal severity as a condition on the list, then SSA must determine if the condition interferes with your ability to do the work that you did previously. If your condition does not prevent you from doing your past work, then SSA will not find you disabled. If your condition prevents you from doing your past work, then SSA will go to the next question.
If you can not do the work that you did in the past, then SSA determines if you are able to adjust to other work. SSA considers your medical conditions, your age, education, past work experience and any transferable skills that you may have acquired. If you can adjust to other work, then SSA will not find you disabled. If you cannot adjust to other work, then SSA will find you disabled.