Skip to main content

WHAT ARE GRID RULES? WHY AGE MATTERS

 When you are trying to get Social Security disability benefits, they consider more than just your physical and mental health.  Social Security also must consider your age, education level, and work history.

The grid rules help decision makers to understand how age and education affects a claimant's ability to work.

The grid rules are especially important for claimants who are age 50 or over.  They are even more important for claimants age 55 or over.

Social Security rules recognize that as we age we become less adaptable to new types of work.  In general, if a claimant is age 55 or over--called "advanced age"-- he or she may be declared disabled under a grid rule if they are no longer able to perform past relevant work.  That same claimant might not be disabled at a younger age.  A claimant with the same medical history at age 40 might not be disabled under the rules.  This is because Social Security will likely find that, even though he cannot perform any past relevant work, he/she can find other work.

Thus, younger claimants (under 50) are often expected to find new jobs in a different type of work, even if they can no longer perform any of their past work.  A claimant who is under age 50 cannot qualify for disability by using a grid rule. (To clarify, younger claimants CAN be disabled, just not under the grid rules).

Social Security also classifies work into exertion levels ranging from "Sedentary" to "Very Heavy."  The exertion level of work is also considered.  

In evaluating a new Social Security disability claim for an individual age 50 or over, one of the first things I look at is the grid rule.  If the claimant's age, education, residual functional capacity and past relevant work line up properly, I may be able to argue an award of benefits under the grid rules.

If you don't understand the confusing maize of rules and regulations that Social Security uses, consider contacting a lawyer or advocate who does.  It may increase your chances of getting benefits.  A study by the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that claimants who use a lawyer are twice as likely to be approved.  

The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville will match you will a qualified advocate to evaluate your disability case and help guide you through the process of Social Security disability.  There is never a fee unless you WIN your benefits and receive PAST DUE MONEY.  Consultations are free and with no obligation.  You will never be pressured to use our firm.  Reach us at (256) 799-0297.

________________

The Forsythe Firm - Social Security Disability Counselors -- "at Bridge Street" in Huntsville, AL.  (256) 799-0297.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASE

What are the top 3 most important factors in a Social Security disability case? 1.  Medical Evidence. 2.  Medical Evidence 3.  Medical Evidence 4-10     Medical Evidence Federal regulations set the eligibility requirements for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits.  A claimant must meet these strict legal requirements More than anything else, the claimant's medical evidence will determine the outcome of the claim or appeal.  Without strong objective medical evidence Social Security cannot legally pay you a benefit. Objective Medical Evidence means the result of medical examinations, laboratory tests or imaging studies (X-rays, PT scans, MRI or CT scans). This type of evidence can only be obtained by going to your doctor. There's an old adage that says truthfully:  "The path to Social Security disability benefits runs straight through your doctor's office."  Being approved for an SSDI benefit requires objective medical proof. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

IS IT HARD TO GET SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY IN TENNESSEE?

  How hard is it to get Social Security disability (SSDI) in Tennessee? It can be very difficult.  In the beginning stages of the process, it seems like the agency is out to deny as many claims as possible.  Later--in the appeals process--it takes more technical and legal skill to move through the labyrinth of obstacles. What's the usual reason for an SSDI denial? If you look at all the denial letters, the most comm on reason given is:  You are not disabled according to our rules. The 2 main explanation for finding claimants not disabled are: 1.  You are able to perform some of your past relevant work. 2.  You can't perform any of your past work but you are able to do other work. Those are the two "catch all" reasons Social Security gives for nearly all of their denials.  Both of these reasons fall into the category of a medical denial .  The claimant's condition is not deemed severe enough to prevent all work. There are other reasons for d...
Post a Comment
Read more

CAN YOU WIN YOUR DISABILITY APPEAL WITHOUT A LAWYER?

The Social Security Administration does not require you to have a lawyer to file an appeal or to appear at a hearing.  However, most people heading for a disability hearing will hire a lawyer or advocate to help them.   Studies have shown that you are about twice as likely to win with a lawyer.  A recent study found that claimants with no lawyer win about 30 percent of the time while claimants with a lawyer or advocate win 60 percent of the time.   " He just cooked his own goose." These statistics cover only one aspect of a disability appear--your odds of winning. The other important aspects are time and convenience. If you prepare and adjudicate your own disability appeal, expect to spend 12 to 24 months working on the case.  You will be collecting, reading and submitting hundreds or thousands of pages of medical records.  These records are complex and often difficult to understand.  And you must know how each medical record helps (or hurts) your dis...
Post a Comment
Read more