Originally Posted by DonnaW1955

I find that hard to believe, i was told work that you are accustomed to performing. I only replied to bret's thread to let him know he was not alone, there are many who are turned down and do appeal.

You don't have enough information to give anyone that kind of an answer, the funny thing is, I appealed and already have a hearing date. If you knew as much as you claim, you would know that some people are disabled to the point where one more day, without pain is a blessing. I have to blow into a tube to work a computer to type this *admin edit*.I have plenty of respect for Bret and every poster here, I don't know what I did to offend you, but God bless you, you need it more than I do.

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

http://social-security.lawyers.com/s...isability.html

"Disability is determined using a five-step sequential evaluation process conducted by the SSA. If, at any point, an applicant is found not to be disabled, the evaluation process terminates and the claim for disability insurance benefits is denied. Following are the five requirments in determining disability:

•Substantial gainful activity. If the applicant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity, there is no disability, regardless of medical condition, age, or work experience.
•Severe impairment. If the applicant is not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the SSA determines whether the applicant has a severe impairment. An impairment is considered "severe" if it significantly limits a person's physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. If there is a finding of severity, the evaluation proceeds to the third step.
•Listing of impairments. If the applicant's condition meets the requirements, or is the equivalent of a disability on the SSA's Listing of Impairments, then the applicant is ruled disabled. If the applicant does not meet the requirements, the sequential evaluation process continues to the fourth step.
•Past relevant work. A medical assessment is performed to determine whether the impairment prevents the applicant from performing his past relevant work. If the applicant is found to be able to perform past relevant work, the claim will be denied. If not, the evaluation process continues to the final step.
•Other work. The SSA evaluates whether the applicant can perform other available work existing in significant numbers in the national economy. The evaluation considers the applicant's residual functional capacity (what the applicant is able to do in a work setting despite the impairment), age, education, and past work experience. If an applicant cannot perform other work, they will be found disabled."