How Your Age Affects Your SSDI Claim
For disability applications, Social Security uses the following age categories:
18-44 - a younger individual. A claimant would either need to meet one of the Listings or show that he cannot perform even sedentary work. If an individual does not meet or equal a Listing, can perform even sedentary work and is able to read and write English (even with a poor education) he will have a difficult time winning an award at this age. Exceptions would be if the claimant has an extremely catastrophic illness, severe mental retardation, or if he/she meets a listing.
Ages 45 - 49 - still a younger individual but Social Security realizes that the occupational base may be somewhat more limited for persons who are age 45 and over. If the applicant does not meet or equal a Listing, is limited to either light or sedentary work and is literate (reads and writes in English) - he will likely be found not disabled. There are exceptions for profound conditions which severely limit functional activities.
Ages 50 - 54 - This age category is considered "closely approaching advanced age," and the burden of proving disability gets a bit easier. Education and past work experience are key factors. If a person has a "residual functional capacity" (RFC) that limits him to sedentary work, has no skilled work history and no transferable skills, and a limited education (less than high school diploma), he will probably be found "disabled" even though he doesn't meet or equal a listing.
Age 55 + - is considered "advanced age." This is the relatively easiest category for disability applicants. Education and past work experience are very important at this level. An individual in this age group who has limited education and no transferable skills--who is further limited to sedentary or light work - is likely to be found disabled.
Some basic disability terms and what they mean
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) - the maximum exertional ability to perform work related activity even with the limitations that are imposed due to an impairment. RFC may be categorized (from easiest to most difficult) as: sedentary, light, medium, heavy, very heavy.
limited education - refers to having completed anywhere between the 7th and 11th grades (but not a high school graduate).
marginal education - no more than a 6th grade education.
skilled work - work that requires a high level of judgment to obtain the proper form, quality or quantity of material to be produced. Skilled work usually takes more than 6 months and up to several years to learn.
semi-skilled work - requires some judgment but does not require complex work duties. Coordination and dexterity are usually necessary. It takes 3 to 6 months to learn semi-skilled work.
unskilled work - involves simple duties with little or no judgment; unskilled work may be learned on the job in 30 days or less, sometimes merely by a brief demonstration.
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To get help with your Social Security disability or SSI claim, please contact
THE FORSYTHE FIRM
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
"Never a Fee Unless We Win"
18-44 - a younger individual. A claimant would either need to meet one of the Listings or show that he cannot perform even sedentary work. If an individual does not meet or equal a Listing, can perform even sedentary work and is able to read and write English (even with a poor education) he will have a difficult time winning an award at this age. Exceptions would be if the claimant has an extremely catastrophic illness, severe mental retardation, or if he/she meets a listing.
Ages 45 - 49 - still a younger individual but Social Security realizes that the occupational base may be somewhat more limited for persons who are age 45 and over. If the applicant does not meet or equal a Listing, is limited to either light or sedentary work and is literate (reads and writes in English) - he will likely be found not disabled. There are exceptions for profound conditions which severely limit functional activities.
Ages 50 - 54 - This age category is considered "closely approaching advanced age," and the burden of proving disability gets a bit easier. Education and past work experience are key factors. If a person has a "residual functional capacity" (RFC) that limits him to sedentary work, has no skilled work history and no transferable skills, and a limited education (less than high school diploma), he will probably be found "disabled" even though he doesn't meet or equal a listing.
Age 55 + - is considered "advanced age." This is the relatively easiest category for disability applicants. Education and past work experience are very important at this level. An individual in this age group who has limited education and no transferable skills--who is further limited to sedentary or light work - is likely to be found disabled.
Some basic disability terms and what they mean
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) - the maximum exertional ability to perform work related activity even with the limitations that are imposed due to an impairment. RFC may be categorized (from easiest to most difficult) as: sedentary, light, medium, heavy, very heavy.
limited education - refers to having completed anywhere between the 7th and 11th grades (but not a high school graduate).
marginal education - no more than a 6th grade education.
skilled work - work that requires a high level of judgment to obtain the proper form, quality or quantity of material to be produced. Skilled work usually takes more than 6 months and up to several years to learn.
semi-skilled work - requires some judgment but does not require complex work duties. Coordination and dexterity are usually necessary. It takes 3 to 6 months to learn semi-skilled work.
unskilled work - involves simple duties with little or no judgment; unskilled work may be learned on the job in 30 days or less, sometimes merely by a brief demonstration.
----------------------
To get help with your Social Security disability or SSI claim, please contact
THE FORSYTHE FIRM
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
"Never a Fee Unless We Win"
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