Age can be an advantage in Social Security Disability cases. If you are age fifty or older, this is due to something colloquially known as The Grid Rules.
The Grid Rules are found in both the program operations manual system within the agency (the POMS) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The Grid Rules can be confusing and they do not apply in every situation, this video is just a brief overview of them. For specific applications to your case, you should speak with an attorney.
Individuals Age 50 and Older
An individual who is over age 50 and who is limited to sedentary work may be found disabled if they have a high school degree or less, and they cannot make a direct entry into skilled work. The individual must also have either no work history, an unskilled work history, skilled/semi-skilled work history with no transferable skills.
If an individual is limited to light work and is between the ages of 50 and 54, they may be found disabled if they are illiterate and they have no past relevant work, or if they have unskilled past relevant work.
Individuals Age 55 and Older
If an individual is limited to light work and is age 55 or older, they may be found disabled under the Grid Rules if they have no ability to enter to skilled work, and they have either no past relevant work, unskilled past relevant work or skilled/semi-skilled past relevant work with no transferable skills.
Questions?
If you’re over age 50 and you have questions about how the Grid Rules apply to your specific case, contact an attorney today.
