What Does Disability Meanfor Social Security?
Disability means different things in different programs. How you define disability can be very different than how Social Security defines “disability”. This definition becomes even more important when someone transitions from benefits as a child to an adult.
Childhood Disability
Social Security considers a child to have a disability if they have a physical or mental condition that seriously limits their activities. This condition must also be expected to last for at least 1 year or end in death.
Childhood disability is based on a physical or mental condition.
Adulthood Disability
Social Security's definition of disability changes when a child turns 18 years old. Even though the condition may not change, Social Security might determine that the person no longer has a disability. This can be really hard to understand.
Social Security considers an adult to have a disability if their physical or mental condition is severe enough to limits them from working at a specific level. Like in childhood, the condition must be expected to last at least a year or end in death.
Adult disability is determined based on the level someone can work.
Help with NavigatingChanges Between Childhood and Adulthood
-
navigating some of the decisions,
-
reviewing information received from Social Security, or
-
understanding how working impacts benefits,