Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits After Age 50
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates applications for disability benefits, one of the main things they look at is your ability to continue doing the work that you did before your disability was identified. For workers aged 50 and older, the SSA recognizes that transferring skills to a new line of work is more difficult than it is for younger workers. When applicants over 50 don’t qualify based purely on physical or mental disabilities, they can still qualify based on another set of criteria known as “Grid Rules.”
How “Grid Rules” Affect Eligibility For Benefits
When an applicant age 50 or older does not qualify for benefits based on a medical impairment, the SSA then uses the “grid rules” to judge whether the applicant is disabled. The grid is a set of criteria that considers education level, previous work experience, the ability to transfer skills and the ability to do physical work. The ability to do physical work ranges from being able to lift 50 pounds and walk six hours a day (very heavy work) to doing sedentary work only.
Applicants are evaluated on each criterion and values are plugged into the grid. An assessment model built into the grid then determines eligibility for benefits based on combined factors. For example, a 57-year-old with an eighth-grade education who has only worked menial labor jobs would be evaluated as unskilled with limited education. In the part of the grid covering education and work experience, the SSA would consider the applicant disabled and eligible for benefits.
Contact A SSD Benefits Attorney Today
Filing an application for disability benefits can be complex and time-consuming. Working with an attorney, who understands the various requirements and nuances of the program can help ensure that your application is not rejected due to errors, missing documents or missing deadlines. Call Robyn M. Rebers LLC at 503-388-4191 or fill out our online contact form to set up a free phone consultation.
Convenient meeting locations In Tualatin And Clackamas. We understand the needs of Oregon residents over the age of 50.