OVER 50? GET DISABILITY $$$

If you are at least 50 years old, you may get Social Security disability even if you can still perform "sedentary work," which is sitting for up to 6 hours a day, standing/walking up to 2 hours, and lifting up to 10 pounds occasionally on the job.

If you are 55 or older, you may get disability benefits even if you are able to perform "light work," which is defined as: standing/walking up to 8 hours a day, and lifting 10 pounds frequently and 20 pounds occasionally.

If you are 60 or older, you could be approved for disability benefits even if you are capable of performing "medium" level work, which would require you to lift 20 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Why does age make so much difference? Because of the "grid rules" or Medical-Vocational Guidelines in Social Security regulations. The older a claimant is, the less likely to adjust to different work, even if the work is easier than previously performed.

• Applicants over 50 years old can be eligible for disability benefits even if they are capable of doing “sedentary work.”

• Applicants over 55 years old may be eligible for disability benefits even if they are capable of doing “sedentary” or “light” work.

• Applicants over 60 years old may be eligible for disability benefits even if they are capable of doing “sedentary,” “light,” or “moderate” work.

DO PERSONS UNDER 50 ALSO GET APPROVED?

Yes, claimants under 50 may be approved, but only if they are not capable of performing Sedentary work, which is the easiest exertion level. Unskilled "sit down" jobs that require little standing or walking and only very light lifting can be difficult to overcome. A 45 year-old who can sit for up to 6 hours a day, stand or walk up to 2 hours per day, and lift and carry up to 10 pounds occasionally will usually be found "Not Disabled" because he/she can perform unskilled sedentary work, such as ticket taker, document preparer, or copy collator. The availability of these jobs will deny claimants under 50, but not those over 50.

This is just one example of how an attorney or advocate can use the law to help get you approved. He or she can use rules that you may not even know about to get you through the arduous screening process for disability benefits.

DO YOU PAY FOR REPRESENTATION IF YOU LOSE?

No. You only pay your attorney-advocate if you win, and only if you collect "back pay" or past due benefits. The 'contingency fee' agreement you sign with your attorney states that there can be no fee or costs if you lose, or even if you win without any back pay.

HOW TO GET A FREE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION WITHOUT OBLIGATION:

Call the Forsythe Firm in Huntsville at (256) 799-0297. We will begin to evaluate your case over the phone. The call is always FREE.