Generally speaking, the medical requirements for Social Security disability are more difficult to meet than those imposed by group and individual disability insurance policies and other government disability programs.

To be eligible for SSD, there must be evidence that the applicant is not only unable to perform his or her former occupation, but all other jobs that he or she is qualified to perform as a result of age, education, and work skills.

Social Security makes its own determination of disability and is not bound by separate determinations by disability insurance carriers or other government agencies such as the Workers Compensation Board or Veterans Administration.