Regarding SSA’s sequential evaluation, when is it considered severe in step 2 to move to step 3?
Question:
Regarding SSA’s sequential evaluation, when is it considered severe in step 2 to move to step 3?
Answer:
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You shouldn’t worry too much about Step 2. DDS uses this step to weed out frivolous claims. At the second step, SSA considers the medical severity of an individual’ impairment(s), e.g.) health problems. An individual must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, (or a combination of impairments) that is severe and meet the duration requirement. To be severe, an impairment or impairments must interfere with basic work-related activities. To meet the duration requirement the impairment(s) must be expected to last twelve months or to result in death. If the impairment(s) are not severe or do not meet the duration requirement, the individual is found not disabled. If the impairment(s) are severe and meet the duration requirement, the adjudicator goes to question three.