By Chris Sharry on January 30th, 2025 in Disability, Disability Qualifying, Social Security Disability
Proving you are disabled under the guidelines of the Social Security Administration (SSA) becomes easier as you get older. If you are over the age of 50 and cannot do your past work, depending on your education and physical abilities, the SSA may not expect you to transition to a new line of work. If your impairment does not meet the severity of any medical listing, the SSA will attempt to apply one of its Medical-Vocational Rules. These are presented in a grid format, so are often referred to as the “grid rules.”
Residual Functional Capacity
The first step in using the grids to determine the level of work an applicant can currently perform. The level of work is called a residual functional capacity (RFC). There are 5 RFCs:
- Sedentary Work;
- Light Work;
- Medium Work;
- Heavy Work; and
- Very Heavy Work.
Your level of education The grids divide your highest level of education into the following categories:
- Illiterate or unable to read, write, and speak English
- Marginal education (8th grade or less)
- Limited education (11th grade or below)
- High school graduate (Hold a diploma for completing 12th grade level work)
- High school graduate with additional education or vocational training
Age Group
When applying the Grid rules, the SSA uses the following age groups:
- Younger individuals (18 through 49)
- Closely approaching advanced age (50 to 54)
- Advanced age (55 and over), and
- Closely approaching retirement age (60 and over).
Previous Work Experience
Work experience is assessed based on the type of work previously performed and the skills acquired. The SSA categorizes work experience into:
- Unskilled Work: Jobs that require little to no judgment to perform simple tasks.
- Semi-Skilled Work: Jobs that require some skills but not complex duties.
- Skilled Work: Jobs that require advanced skills, knowledge, and judgment.
Your skills and their transferability
Your skills and whether they could be transferred to another job will be a determining factor in the evaluation of your disability claim.
For example, a 52-year-old construction worker with a high school diploma with no transferrable skills would be found disabled under grid rule 201.14 of the medical-vocational guidelines.
Understanding Your Eligibility for SSDI Benefits
Navigating the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) disability guidelines can be complex, especially when determining eligibility based on age, education, and work experience. The grid rules provide a structured approach to evaluating claims, offering more favorable outcomes for individuals over 50 who cannot transition to new types of work. If you believe you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) but are unsure how the SSA will assess your case, seeking guidance from an experienced attorney can help. Sharry & Monfette can assist in evaluating your claim and presenting the strongest case possible. Contact Attorney Chris Sharry today for a consultation.
