13. How does DES evaluate my disability?

DES must decide—based on all of the information about your impairments, age and work experience—if you meet the EAEDC disability requirements because:

■        Your disability meets the EAEDC medical standards listed at 106 C.M.R. § 703.192; or

■        Your disability meets the SSI Listing of Impairments in the federal regulations at 20 C.F.R. § 404 Subpart P, Appendix 1; or

You have an impairment, or combination of impairments, which affects your ability to do basic work activities. The rules vary depending on whether you have physical or mental impairments, or a combination. There are 5 steps to this process. See Questions 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.