Legal Standards

The Social Security Adminstration ("SSA") uses a five step evaluation process to determine whether a claimant is eligible for disability benefits. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520; 416.920. There is also a durational requirement: the impairment must have lasted or be expected to last at a disabling level for at least 12 months. 20 C.F.R. §§404.1509; 416.909.

The elements of the sequential evaluation are described briefly here. The full text of the regulations is available on Westlaw and Lexis, or at the Social Security Administration website.

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