Step 1: If you are working you may be denied as not disabled. However you can still apply even if you are working depending on your earnings. Substantial Gainful Activity for the year 2020 is $1260.00 gross earnings per calendar month.

Step 2 & 3: In order to secure disability benefits at Steps 2 & 3: “There must be objective medical evidence from an acceptable medical source that shows you have a medical impairment(s) which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged and that, when considered with all of the other evidence (including statements about the intensity and persistence of your pain or other symptoms which may reasonably be accepted as consistent with the medical signs and laboratory findings), would lead to a conclusion that you are disabled.” CFR 404.1529(a). SSA will apply a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) based on your physical & mental capabilities to determine if you can work at Step 4.

Step 4: Past Relevant Work (PRW): SSA uses a government reference manual to classify your past and/or current work called the “Dictionary of Occupational Titles”. In the manual it contains 12,500+ job descriptions that describe the physical and mental requirements of every job in the United States. Classifying your past work in-accurately can cause you to be denied your benefits. Based on your RFC from Step 3, the Disability Examiner or Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) may deny your application stating you can return to your past work.

Step 5: Other Work: SSA will inquire if there are other jobs in the National Economy that are available for a hypothetical individual (you) with the same limitations. A Vocational Expert (VE) will identify jobs you can perform with your capabilities. Also, the VE will testify to the requirements to maintain competitive employment. SSA may also deny your benefits based on VE testimony that may be inaccurate.