Are you over age 60 and wondering whether the grid rules might apply to your own Social Security disability 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.
if you’re 60 years or older (but not yet full retirement age) and unable to work due to physical and/or mental impairments, you may be eligible for Social Security disability, either SSDI or SSI benefits. To determine your eligibility, the Social Security Administration may use a set of rules known as the “disability grid rules.” The disability grid rules consider your age, education, and work experience to determine whether or not you’re able to adjust to other types of work.
Your residual functional capacity (RFC) refers to what Social Security believes you are still able to do, despite your medical limitations. The Social Security Administration will evaluate your RFC to determine whether you’re able to perform any type of work. If the Social Security Administration determines that you’re unable to perform any type of work, you may be found disabled under the disability grid rules.
Now let’s talk about your age category. As someone 60 years or older, you fall into what’s known as the “closely approaching retirement age” category. This means that Social Security does recognize that you may have a harder time adjusting to new work that requires different skills because of your age.
It’s important to note that the disability grid rules are just one of the ways in which Social Security determines eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration may also consider other factors when determining your eligibility.
Also, if you are full retirement age (or older), SSDI benefits will no longer be an option for you. Therefore, the grid rules only apply to individuals between the ages 60 and when you reach full retirement age.
To summarize, if you’re 60 years old or older (but not yet full retirement age) and unable to work due to a disability, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration may use the disability grid rules to determine your eligibility, taking into account your residual functional capacity and your age category.
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