Is it true that an individual may meet the definition of disability without receiving Social Security benefits?

An individual can indeed meet the definition of disability without receiving Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. However, not all individuals who qualify as disabled apply for or receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Reasons for this may include a lack of awareness of their eligibility, not having applied for benefits, choosing not to pursue the benefits, or being denied benefits for various reasons despite having a disability. Consequently, individuals may be recognized as disabled by other standards, such as those of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or by private entities, and still not be receiving Social Security benefits. This demonstrates that the legal definition of a disability is broader and not solely dependent on receipt of Social Security benefits.