In assessing Children's Disability, what is the first question?

The first question in assessing a child's disability under Social Security guidelines focuses on whether the child has engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA). The concept of SGA is crucial to determining eligibility for disability benefits. In this context, asking if the child is working and earning less than a specific threshold, such as $700 a month, helps establish whether the child has participated in work activity at a level that would be considered substantial.

If a child is found to be working and earning above this amount, it may indicate that they are not disabled, as the purpose of the Social Security Disability Insurance is to provide assistance to those who cannot sustain employment due to their impairments. On the other hand, if the child is not earning above the threshold, it paves the way for further evaluation of their impairments and how those affect their daily functioning.

This step is essential before diving deeper into the nature and extent of any impairments the child might have. Understanding the child's work status and earnings directly impacts eligibility considerations and shapes the overall assessment process for determining disability.