[VRWC_minion]

In determining whether or not you are disabled under Social Security's rules, the Social Security Administration considers five questions.

1. Are you working? If you are and your earnings average more than $500 per month, you cannot generally be considered disabled.

2. Is your condition so severe that it interferes with basic work related activities?

3. Is your condition found on the Social Security Administration's list of "disabling impairments?" If so, you are automatically considered disabled. If not, Social Security compares your disability to those on the list to determine if it is of equal severity to a listed condition. If it is, then your claim is approved; if not, the process goes on to the next question.

4. Can you continue to do the work you did during the last 15 years? If the answer is yes, your claim is rejected. If the answer is no, the evaluation process goes on to ask the final question.

5. Can you do any other type of work, when your age, education, past work experience and transferable work skills are taken into account? If you can, no benefits are awarded. But if you can't, you will be entitled to receive disability payments

[moonman]

Thanks. My wife is trying (for the past 2+ years) for S.S., although Medicare wouldn't kick in until 2 years after she gets accepted.

My wife isn't confined in a wheelchair, is not a drug addict/alcoholic, and refuses to go to court hearings dressed like a homeless person, otherwise, she'd have a better chance in front of the judge. The lawyer told her that her pride and vanity isn't helping her case any. Looks pretty bad, huh?