California Life and Health Insurance Practice Exam

According to Social Security, how is disability defined?

1. Inability to walk for a year

2. Unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity

3. Inability to perform daily living activities

4. Inability to live independently

The correct answer is: Unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity

The definition of disability according to Social Security specifically states that an individual must be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This definition encompasses physical and mental impairments that significantly limit one's ability to work. Substantial gainful activity refers to a level of work earnings that demonstrates the ability to earn a living. Therefore, even if someone may have a medical condition, if they can still perform a significant amount of work that meets the SGA threshold, they do not qualify as disabled under Social Security standards. This definition focuses heavily on the individual's ability to participate in the workforce, making it a robust standard as it relates to economic independence and capacity for employment. The other provided options do not align with Social Security's definition. The inability to walk for a year and the inability to perform daily living activities, while they may indicate some level of disability, do not capture the broader criteria that involve the capacity to earn income through work. Similarly, being unable to live independently may result from various conditions but does not, in itself, fit the legal definition used by Social Security to determine disability status for benefits.