| The Social Security Administration runs two concurrent | | | | conclusion. |
| programs, namely Social Security disability insurance | | | | The applications go through Social Security field offices |
| program and the supplemental security income | | | | and state agencies like disability determination services, |
| scheme. The former is meant for persons who have | | | | who determine whether the individual is eligible or not. If |
| contributed to the Social Security Trust in the form of | | | | an unfavorable decision comes out, the applicant has |
| Social Security Tax, the latter is extended to people | | | | the option to appeal for a review. |
| who are disabled to the extent that they cannot do | | | | The role of a health professional in the process of |
| productive work and have no other proper income | | | | disability determination cannot be discounted. They |
| sources. | | | | provide medical evidence of their patients at the |
| The administration has defined disability as a state | | | | application stage or act as medical experts during |
| where an individual is unable to engage in any | | | | review hearings. |
| substantial gainful activity due to any physical or mental | | | | It is very important to understand the eligibility criteria |
| medically determinable impairment which can result in | | | | and categories who can claim Social security disability |
| his or her death or may last for a period of more than | | | | benefits. Disabled individuals who are under 65 years |
| a year continuously. Children with functional disabilities | | | | of age and have paid social security taxes are |
| lasting for more than twelve continuous months are | | | | primarily eligible. If someone is disabled before attaining |
| also covered in the scheme. | | | | the age of 22 and is dependent on an insured |
| Medically Determinable Impairments are determined by | | | | deceased or retirement benefit entitled parents, he or |
| medically acceptable tests and techniques. The | | | | she is also considered eligible. Disabled widow or |
| impairment needs to be established, whether it is | | | | widower of a deceased spouse insured under social |
| physical, or mental anomalies, by means of scientific | | | | security can also lay legitimate claim for support. Social |
| evidences and evaluation of symptoms and not | | | | Security Insurance covers disabled adults above the |
| merely by the testimonials and statements of the | | | | age of eighteen years as well as disabled children |
| applicant. The signs, symptoms and results of clinical | | | | under eighteen years of age. |
| tests are properly analyzed before arriving at a | | | | |