By Chris Sharry on July 24th, 2024 in Announcements, Disability, Social Security Disability
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has updated the way they evaluate back and neck injuries. What was formerly evaluated under Listing 1.04 will now be evaluated under two separate listings. These listings can be found at Listing 1.15 and Listing 1.16. Although the criteria needed to meet these listings are similar, SSA has added additional requirements that we suspect will result in fewer claims being found to satisfy the criteria that will be needed to meet the listing. To meet either Listing 1.15 or 1.16, Social Security now requires the documented medical need for a walker, bilateral canes, or bilateral crutches or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of both hands; or an inability to use one upper extremity to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities involving fine and gross movements and a documented medical need for a one-handed, hand-held assistive device that requires the use of the other upper extremity or a wheeled and seated mobility device involving the use of one hand.
As you can see, some claimants now may not meet these stringent requirements. If you do not meet or equal the above listings, you can still qualify for disability benefits if the impairment prevents you from doing your past relevant work or other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy.
Please call our office if we can be of any assistance or answer any questions you may have about filing for disability.
