When determining whether or not to award an applicant in Kissimmee, Florida, Social Security Disability benefits, the Social Security Administration will consider whether an applicant will be able to perform the work duties they were able to prior to becoming injured or ill. In addition, the SSA will evaluate whether the applicant will be able to switch to other job duties.
If a person’s injury or illness is not included in the SSA’s listing of impairments, which lists the types of diseases and conditions that the Administration considers sufficiently serious enough to prevent an applicant from being able to work, the Administration will consider the applicant’s residual functional capacity. To do so, the SSA will consider all the information the applicant supplied to them.
There are a number of factors that will be considered in such situations. One factor is the applicant’s capacity for physical exertion, including the applicant’s ability to lift, stand, push, walk, pull, sit and carry.
In addition, the Administration will consider the applicant’s inability to work in certain types of environments, such as extreme heat or cold, noise, humidity and wetness. They will also consider whether the applicant will be exposed to fumes, dust, heights, gases, machinery that moves or vibrations.
Also, the SSA will consider whether the applicant can perform activities that require certain types of postures or manipulations. This includes moving one’s fingers, reaching, using ladders or stairs, crouching, balancing, crawling and retaining the sense of touch.
The Administration will also consider the applicant’s ability to pay attention and concentrate while on the job, their sense of sight, their sense of hearing, their ability to talk and their ability to remember instructions and follow through with them. Finally, the Administration will consider whether the applicant can adjust to changes in the workplace and whether the applicant is able to communicate with other workers and supervisors.
As this shows, there are many factors that go into a decision as to whether or not to award an applicant disability benefits. Those with further questions should do their research, to ensure they understand the application process.
Source: socialsecurity.gov, “How We Decide If You Are Disabled,” accessed March 1, 2015
