Individuals of all ages may suffer with disabilities and can apply for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits, yet age may play a part when the SSA (Social Security Administration) is checking out an application. To assist with the process of Disability Determination, the Social Security Administration has established multiple age categories.
People ages 18 to 44 are categorized as young individuals. People ages 45 to 49 are categorized as younger individuals.
Those ages 50 to 54 are people thought to be approaching advanced age. People ages 55+ are categorized as advanced age. People 60 to 65 are categorized as approaching retirement age.
Social Security Disability Insurance Age
The Social Security Administration considers age in conjunction with education, physical functioning capability, and work to decide if you’re eligible for benefits. Also, the Social Security Administration usually believes advanced age is a limiting factor in a person’s capability of transitioning to other jobs. Being older will help a person seeking disability benefits.
If someone is nearing advanced age, meaning you’re ages 50 – 54, the medical-vocational grid regulations are more favorable. If individuals from ages 50 – 54 are restricted to sedentary work or less and have a restricted quantity of work skills which may transfer, their odds of being approved for such benefits significantly increase.
How does age affect SSDI?
If someone is 55+, the chances are more in her or his favor. If you’re 55+ and have restricted to doing less than a complete range of medium work, she or he may obtain benefits even if she or he has a high school education and she or he doesn’t have transferrable occupational skills.
Therefore, those 55+ have an increased opportunity of being awarded benefits based upon the guidelines set by the SSA. While individuals of all ages may be awarded these types of benefits, the chances of a successful claim increase with age.
That said, individuals applying for disability ages 55+ have a higher opportunity of being approved for disability.
SSDI and Grid Rules
Social Security Administration has a “Grid of Rules.” Such rules make the chances of being approved for disability benefits better for people 50 and up. This means the chances generally are favorable for the ones approaching advanced age or fall within the category of 50 – 54 years of age.
Grid rules were established to aid in determining eligibility for those who do not meet a medical impairment listing. Therefore, disability is decided using the RFC level that ranges from sedentary to heavy work, age, transferrable skills, work experience, and education background.
Education is a factor because the Social Security Administration believes the greater your education level, the simpler it will be for you to locate work.
It’s vital that your treating doctors provide an accurate opinion on your RFC (residual functioning capacity) and besides filling out the questions on the form, the doctors ought to note all non-exertional limitations you may experience.
Those limitations may involve confusion, difficulty concentrating, and forgetfulness. In completely understanding all your limitations in conjunction with your educational background, skills, and age, Disability Determination Services more accurately decide if you do not have the ability to work and are qualified to obtain benefits.
Are you at an age where you require disability care? Contact Optimum Personal Care in Missouri City, TX at 281.565.4144 for more details on our services.