The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1960-03-04
FURTHER INFORMATION ON
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

rs 1t tue That i nave to be flat
on my back to draw those disability
benefits ?" This question, or others
very similar, are being asked more
and more frequently of representa-
ties of the Social Security Ad-
ministration, now that disability in
surance has become an important
part of the general social security
program.
The answer to the above ques-
ton, of course: No, you don't have
to be bed-ridden to qualify for the
disability freeze, or to draw dis
ability benefits starting at age So
but there are certain requirements
which must be met. Probably the
Social Security law itself puts the
matter as clearly as possible when
it states that to qualify, an ap-
plicant must be unable to engage
in any substantial gainful activity
The key word in that phrase is
unable. Any of us may become
unemployed, or remain unemploy-
ed, for a variety of reasons and
still be able to work if we had the
opportunity. Maybe not at the type
of work to which we are accus-
toned, or which we prefer, but at
some "gainful activity"
Now to go back to our original
question, while being fiat on ones
back might be a pretty good indi-
cation that one is disabled, FORUM
ately such a condition is not an
essential requirement to establish
ing disability. The law says that
the disabling condition must be
medically determined and that it
must be expected to be of long
continued and indefinite duration
or to result in death. MEDICALLY
dete1minable" means just what it
says, namely that the disabling
condition is determined to exist by
physician, based on medical
evidence.
When establishing that a dis
ability exists, physician can
ordinarily make a reasonably ac-
curate determination as to whether
it is going to be of long or short
duration, however the law removed
part of the guess work that would
otherwise be necessary by stipu-
lating that the disabling condition
must have lasted for at least Sin
months. From then on, the determi-
nation must be based on the facts
in each individual case. Obviously
no two cases are going to be exact.
ly alike but with a summary OF
the applicants medical history
diagnosis, and physical and clinical
facts, trained evaluators, of whom
one is a physician, can make a de-
cision which is equitable.
Of coure not every applicant is
going to agree with the determi
nation in his case, and for those
who don't the law provides pro-
cedures for reconsiderations, and
| in some cases, hearings before i'm
partial referees. The applicant ha:
the right to submit additional evi
dence to substantiate his claim
and the Social Security Admin
stration will offer every assistance
it can in connection with obtain
ing this evidence.
The Social Security Administra
ton is anxious to see every en-
titled person start receiving bene
lifts as soon as possible after thu
expiration of the six months wait
ing period and to accomplish this
the law permits the applicant t.
submit medical evidence at the EN-
of the fourth month of disability
The application may be filed at an!
time after the applicant become
disabled.
Residents of Dare and Curritucl
counties should contact the Norfolk
Iva. District Office for any ad
ditional information. Persons liv
ling in Hyde, Beaufort, and Tyrrel
counties should contact the Nes
bern, N. C. District Office. Writ
| ,n>,,,. Social Cara,y-;tv District OF