What is Step Five in the #SSDI and #SSI Process?

Why does the Social Security Administration keep denying you at step five in the disability process? 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. Today we’re going to talk about what happens at step five of the Social Security disability determination process. 

Step Four – Can You Return to Past Work?

First, before we get to step five, at step four, Social Security is looking at, can you do the work that you used to do? To make that determination, they have created and assigned a residual functional capacity (an RFC) to you. They will compare that RFC to The Dictionary of Occupational Titles to see if based on that RFC, can you go back and do your past work. If you cannot, that’s when Social Security moves to step five.

Step Five – Can You Adjust to Other Work?

At step five, Social Security is looking at, whether there is any other work in the national economy that exists that you can do with your RFC. So again, Social Security will use your RFC compared to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles to see if there are any jobs that exist.

Grid Rules

However, if you are 50 or older, Social Security may also compare your RFC, your age, your education, and your past relevant work to the grid rules to see if you might be found disabled under the grid rules.

Worn Out Worker Rule

Social Security may also consider the worn-out worker rule, which is applicable if you’ve worked for 35 years or more, in an arduous, unskilled physical labor, and you can’t go back and perform that same work that you’ve done before. 

At step five, Social Security is considering your remaining ability to do other work, taking into account your RFC, your age, your education, and your work experience.

Social Security Disability Lawyer

Thanks so much for watching. If you’re disabled and unable to work, click the scheduling link here or give us a call directly for a free consultation where we can discuss your case and see what I can do to help you.