How Your Age and the Grid Rules May Impact Your Social Security Disability Case
Are you thinking of applying for Social Security disability benefits but want to know how your age and the grid rules may apply to your case?
My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better.
In today’s video, we will discuss the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, also known as the grid rules, and their applicability to Social Security disability cases.
What Are the Grid Rules?
The grid rules are used by the Social Security Administration to determine disability for applicants over age 50 who cannot return to their past relevant work.
When applicable, the grid rules consider four main factors:
- Age
- Education level
- Work experience and skills
- Physical capacity for work
How Age Affects Your Claim
When considering age, the older you are, the easier it may be for the grid rules to apply.
That level of ease changes at age 50, 55, and 60.
The Role of Education
Lower levels of education can make it easier to qualify, particularly for individuals who have less than a high school diploma or GED.
Work Experience and Skills
When it comes to work experience:
- Unskilled work experience typically makes it easier to qualify under the grid rules
- Having skilled work experience and transferable skills may make it more difficult
Physical Capacity for Work
The less physical capacity you have, the easier it may be to qualify:
- Sedentary work capacity is often the most favorable
- Light work capacity is the next most favorable
Why the Grid Rules Exist
The grids are there because they recognize that it’s harder for older, less educated workers with physical limitations to adjust to new work.
They’re supposed to serve as a standardized way for the Social Security Administration to evaluate cases on a consistent basis.
How a Disability Attorney Can Help
A disability attorney may be able to help you determine the grid rules and whether or not they apply to your case.
Thanks so much for watching!
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