Defining “Disability”: Social Security 

Most individuals impacted by Huntington’s Disease apply for Social Security benefits. It is imperative that everyone understands how Social Security defines “disability” before submitting an application.   

Social Security has a two-part definition: a person must have (1) a medically determinable impairment that (2) leaves them unable to engage in any work in the regional or national economy. 

This definition is very complex. To best understand Social Security’s definition, we must break down the two parts into easily understood language.  

Medically Determinable Impairment

Social Security defines medically determinable impairment in three parts: 

(1) Physical or mental condition – the diagnosis of Huntington’s Disease fits this criterion. It is also important to include any other conditions you have in your Social Security disability application. 

(2) Shown by medically accepted clinical and laboratory testing – A Huntington’s Disease diagnosis alone is not enough. Social Security requires documentation that shows confirmatory testing, proof of symptoms and corresponding limitations, and a history of medical care. Medical evidence that shows this includes clinic visit notes, gene test results, neuropsychological testing, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), talk therapy, and physical and occupational therapy.  

(3) Expected to result in death OR last at least 12 consecutive months – The HD community knows this hard truth. It is important to remember that Huntington’s Disease is a rare disease and not well understood. It is important to put in EVERY Social Security application that there is currently no cure for HD. Additionally, always make sure your claim is flagged for Compassionate Allowance. 

Work

Social Security defines work as “substantial gainful activity” (SGA), which can be summed up as a monthly dollar amount. In 2025, a person must make less than $1,620 per month to be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.  

If we break down “substantial gainful activity,” Social Security defines “substantial” as something that involves significant physical or mental activities. Social Security further defines “gainful” as activity that: 

  • Can be performed for pay or profit. 
  • Is generally performed for pay or profit. 
  • Is intended for profit, even if there is no profit. 
  • Can be performed on a part-time basis. 

This means that volunteering could count as “work” under Social Security’s rules. Volunteering too much if you have stopped working could lead to a Social Security disability denial. 

Engaging in Work

To start the Social Security disability benefit application process, you must be under the SGA income threshold. We defined this above. You must also show that you could not perform other work at the SGA level anywhere in the country. 

Past Work 

Social Security will first look at your past five years of work and determine if you could perform your past work. They will consider the skill level of your work. Different jobs have different skill levels:  

Unskilled: requires little or no judgment to perform simple tasks and can usually be learned in less than a month; often requires strength. Ex: Toy stuffer, ticket taker, usher, assembly line  

Semi-skilled: takes between three and six months to learn; usually requires the ability to remain alert and pay attention to detail and/or protecting against risks. Ex: Waiter, taxi-driver, construction worker, cashier  

Skilled: It takes at least six months and often many years to train for and learn a skilled job; requires specific qualifications, the use of judgment, and knowing how to perform mechanical or manual tasks to create a product or material (or provide a service). Ex: Lawyer, doctor, engineer, teacher, plumber 

Other Work 

If Social Security determines you cannot do your past work, then will then consider if you have the ability to perform any other work at any level. Levels of work include: 

Very Heavy: lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more.  

Heavy: lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.  

Medium: lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.  

Light: lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds; requires a good deal of walking or standing or involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling.   

Sedentary: lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools; a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. 

Social Security relies on the information from your doctors and medical records to determine if you have the physical or mental ability to perform other work.  

This is how your “medically determinable impairment” impacts your ability to “work.” 

Contact Us 

Social Security’s definition of disability is one of the most complex. If you have questions, you can always Ask Allison!