Social security disability Arizona is a program that is in place to ensure that people who are unable to work can still provide for their own needs and the needs of their dependents. The program provides benefits only to a limited number of individuals, however, and strict qualification standards are in place to determine who is eligible for benefits.
Requirements to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits
To qualifying for social security disability Arizona benefits you must prove that your condition is severe and has lasted or is expected to last for a year or more, or that it is expected to result in death. Whether your condition is severe or not is determined by whether your condition, including your symptoms, has more than a slight impact on your ability to perform basic work related activities, such as how long you can sit, walk or stand, how much you can lift, how well you can see, etc.
The Social Security Administration has also prepared a list of medical conditions related to different body systems, such as the musculoskeletal system, pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. If you have a condition or combination of conditions that meet or equal all of the requirements of a condition in the list, you will be found disabled, so long as you are not working and earning more than the permissible limit. If you do not have a condition that meets or equals a listed impairment, further analysis of your claim is required, including a determination of whether you can perform your past relevant work (work performed in the 15 years before your disability began) and whether there is any alternative work you can perform based upon your present functional capabilities (“residual functional capacity”) and your age, education and work experience.
In addition to these requirements, you must have worked enough under the Social Security system (paid in enough FICA taxes) to have insured status.
Contact a Social Security Disability Arizona Attorney
An experienced social security disability Arizona attorney can help you to understand what the criteria are and can assist you in proving your entitlement to benefits. Call a Social Security disability Arizona Attorney at Schiffman Law Office, P.C. at (602) 235-0539.