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How the Medical-Vocational Grid Rules Are Used to Determine Disability
Winning a claim for disability becomes easier the older a person gets. This is because the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers the fact that a successful transition to a new workplace or field for an older worker may be more difficult than for a younger worker (the SSA calls this a "vocational adjustment").
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When a Limited Education, Illiteracy, or Inability to Speak English Helps You Get Disability
Some disability applicants, especially older ones, can be approved under Social Security's “grid” rules even if they could do some type of easy, undemanding job. This is particularly true for claimants without high school diplomas, for those who cannot read or write, and for applicants who cannot communicate in English. Here's how it works.
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What Are Transferable Skills for Social Security Disability Purposes?
Some jobs have skills that can be used across many fields of work. These skills are frequently acquired in administrative, clerical, or professional positions.
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Applying for Disability When You're Under Age 50
If you are under the age of 50 when you apply for disability, it will be much harder for you to win your claim than for an older person. However, there are some tactics you can use to increase your chances of being approved.
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Applying for Disability at Age 50-54 With Social Security's Medical-Vocational Grids
When you apply for disability, if the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides your condition doesn't meet a disability listing and you can't do your past job, the SSA will refer to the “grid rules” for those between the ages of 50 and 54 to decide if you are disabled.
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Applying for Disability at Age 55-59: What Social Security's Medical-Vocational Grids Say
If, based on your application for disability, the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides your condition doesn't meet an impairment listing and you can't do your past job, the SSA will refer to the “grid rules” for applicants age 55-59 to decide if you're disabled.
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Applying for Disability at Age 60 or Older: Using Social Security's Medical-Vocational Grids
When you apply for disability after age 60 but before full retirement age, Social Security applies special age-specific rules when it evaluates your disability.
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Getting Social Security Disability After Age 65 (Before Full Retirement Age)
Some individuals who are over the age of 65 may not have the desire or financial ability to retire, but become disabled and are unable to continue working.
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Getting Disability by Arguing You Can't Even Do Sedentary Work
In order to win your claim for Social Security disability, you must prove that your limitations prevent you from doing your past job and any other less demanding work.
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How Combining Exertional and Non-Exertional Limitations Can Help You Get Disability
In evaluating a claim for disability, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider how your exertional and non-exertional limitations affect your ability to work.
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Ruling Out Other Work at Your Disability Hearing Because You Don't Have the Job Skills
If your disability claim is denied because Social Security says there is "other work" you can do (rather than your past work), you'll need to request an appeal hearing.
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The "Worn Out Worker" Rule in Social Security Disability Claims
The “worn out worker” rule, a little-known provision of the Social Security regulations, applies to some disability applicants whose employment history consists of many years of unskilled physical labor. The worn out worker rule allows for eligible disability claimants who would otherwise have their disability claim denied to be awarded Social Security benefits.
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When Transferable Job Skills Can Prevent You From Getting Social Security Disability
At most jobs, people learn certain skills needed to do their work. Sometimes these skills are specialized and can only be used at that particular job. Frequently, however, people develop skills that can be used in other types of jobs. These are called transferable skills.
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Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting & Keeping Your Benefits
Nolo's book includes all of the medical-vocational grid rules and covers the exceptions that apply, as well as strategies to use during your hearing.