Also known as:Social Security Disability Insurance · SSDI · SSI disability
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A federal program of income benefits for covered workers unable to engage in substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to last at least twelve months.
Sources & Authorities
How it applies
Common Examples
2
Written Notice Before Benefit Cutoff
Simon Stern had received Social Security disability payments for five years when the agency reviewed new medical records and concluded his condition had improved. The agency mailed him a standardized notice of proposed termination along with a form to submit written explanations and documents. After Simon responded in writing, the agency ended payments but scheduled a full evidentiary hearing six weeks later with the possibility of retroactive restoration if he prevailed.
Eligibility Determination After Injury
Sydney Santos, a covered worker, suffered a severe back injury that prevented her from performing her prior job or any other substantial work. She applied for Social Security disability benefits and submitted medical documentation showing the impairment would last more than a year. The agency evaluated whether her condition met the statutory inability to engage in substantial gainful activity and granted benefits after review.
Put it into practice
Test Yourself
3
Practice Questions2
· 1 primary source
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Cases
Study Supplements
Common questions
Frequently Asked
3
What procedures satisfy due process when the Social Security Administration terminates disability benefits?+
Written notice of the proposed termination and an opportunity to respond in writing before benefits stop, followed by a full evidentiary hearing with possible retroactive payments, satisfy due process. The agency applies a balancing test that weighs the recipient's interest, the risk of erroneous deprivation, and the government's administrative and fiscal interests.
Supporting sources
Does due process require a live hearing before termination of Social Security disability benefits?+
No. The Supreme Court has held that a pre-termination evidentiary hearing is not required for these contributory insurance benefits. Written pre-termination procedures plus a prompt post-termination hearing with retroactive relief are constitutionally adequate under the applicable balancing test.
Supporting sources
How does the definition of disability under the Social Security Act differ from need-based welfare programs?+
Social Security disability benefits are available to covered workers who meet the statutory medical standard of inability to engage in substantial gainful activity for the required duration. They are not conditioned on current financial need, unlike traditional welfare payments that trigger stricter pre-termination hearing requirements.
Supporting sources
Constitutional LawIndividual rights · Procedural due process, including the constitutional right to process in administrative hearingsNEXTGENFoundational