The definition of disability under Social Security is different from other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial or short-term disability.
You are considered disabled under Social Security rules if all of the following are true:
You cannot do work that you did before because of your medical condition.
You cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition.
Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.