Regardless if you have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Insurance Benefits (SSI), the Social Security Administration uses a 5-Step sequential evaluation process to determine if an individual is disabled. If the proof fails at any Step, except Step-3, a finding of not disabled will be issued.
Step 1: Substantial Gainful Activity
If an individual is working, which is deemed to be both Substantial and Gainful Activity (SGA), a finding of not disabled will be issued. To determine whether work is Substantial, the Social Security Administration will assess the duties an individual performs and/or the level of supervision. The Social Security Administration will assess an individual’s earnings to determine whether the work is gainful. To determine whether income is gainful visit ssa.gov/cola.