Social Security Disability Guide:
Disability Standard
Under Social Security a claimant is "disabled" and entitled to benefits
if s/he cannot work. The term used is whether the individual is capable
of "substantial gainful activity."The fact that the claimant cannot work must be the result of one or more medically determinable physical and/or mental problems. If one problem alone does not prevent a claimant from working, but two or more problems combined do, the claimant will be considered "disabled."
The Social Security Administration, in considering whether a claimant is "disabled" will consider both medical impairments and a claimant's vocational ability to work.
The problem which causes a claimant to be disabled does not have to be the result of work. However, if a claimant is disabled due to work, s/he can still receive Social Security Disability, as long as the requirements are met. (There may be an offset if the claimant is also receiving workers' compensation benefits.)