DISABILITY AFTER AGE 50

Age is a very important factor in Social Security disability.

As we age, it gets harder to adjust to new work.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has adopted special rules for individuals over age 50. Advocates know how to use these rules to get a favorable decision. Being unable to do past work can help the claimant get disability benefits.

If you are at least 50 and are limited to unskilled sedentary (sit down) work, Social Security will assume that you cannot transition to other kind of work because of your age. The key, of course, is to convince Social Security that you are limited to sedentary work. This is called your "Residual Functional Capacity."

An individual limited to sedentary unskilled work may lose their case at age 49, but will win it at age 50.

At age 55, it gets even easier. A 55+ claimant limited to unskilled light exertion work is presumed unable to adapt to other work. Therefore, he/she is disabled.

Does this mean that a person 50 or over will automatically be approved? No. It just makes it easier to prove your case. The important word is IF. IF you are limited to sedentary work. IF you are restricted to unskilled work.

Your representative knows how to direct decision makers to the conclusion that your Residual Functional Capacity requires unskilled sedentary work.