We get this question all the time, and it makes perfect sense. Your doctors know your health better than anyone, so their opinion should be what Social Security looks at when making decisions about disability benefits.
But here’s the hard truth: your doctor may honestly believe that you can’t work anymore. That does not mean Social Security agrees.
Even more surprising to most people: Social Security does not accept a doctor’s statement that says “disabled” or “unable to work.” Those words, by themselves, don’t carry any weight.
Social Security defines disability under its own rules, not a doctor’s opinion.
Why This Common Belief Is Wrong
Your doctor may be absolutely correct in stating that you can no longer do your last job because you have become disabled. But, that isn’t what Social Security Disability focuses on.
Social Security is looking to see if there is any kind of work that you can do, anywhere in the national economy. In other words, before you receive disability benefits, Social Security wants to find out if you can perform any full-time work, not just your old job.
What Matters to Social Security
To decide if you qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits, your practical physical and mental limitations are examined, such as:
- How long can you stand or walk at one time?
- How long can you sit before you have to change position?
- How much weight can you lift, carry, push, or pull?
- Can you concentrate, keep pace, and stay on task?
Your doctor writes medical notes to plan for patient care and treatment, and for insurance claims, but not for Social Security disability claims. Unfortunately, that’s why people with very real, very serious conditions are denied every day.