One never knows what may happen to them in the course of a lifetime. While someone may be healthy and able to perform 100% of their job duties, it is not uncommon for individuals to become unable to do the work they previously could perform. When this happens, social security disability is often a lifesaver, as it provides income for individuals who are unable to perform any work, or perform all of the work they previously could.
In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that around 25% of 20-year-olds in the workforce today will be put out of work due to a condition prior to their 67th birthday. And naturally, the odds of having a condition that limits or makes work impossible goes up as the individual gets older.
Social Security Disability Rules After Age 50
When someone is no longer able to perform their job duties, they often apply for social security disability benefits. But, these benefits are not guaranteed. To ensure there is a true need, the SSA requires that individuals have proof of their condition and how it limits their work or makes it so they are unable to perform their prior job duties completely.
One of the main factors to determine eligibility for social security disability is the individual’s ability to engage in the work they previously performed, or adjust to a new type of work that they can perform. Luckily, the SSA factors in age to this equation. The fact is, the older someone is, the less likely they may be able to adjust to new types of work.
Due to age alone being a limitation for someone to adjust to a new type of work, the SSA may treat individuals over the age of 50 more favorably in the determination of benefits. If someone is unable to perform the work they did prior to their condition, and they are unable to effectively adapt to new work, they may qualify for social security disability benefits.
When it comes to determination of ability to perform a prior job or a new one, there are four main categories that the SSA puts the jobs into:
- Sedentary – does not involve lifting more than 10 pounds
- Light – involves lifting of 10 pounds or occasionally lifting no more than 20 pounds.
- Medium – involves frequently lifting 25 pounds and occasionally lifting 50 pounds.
- Heavy – frequent lifting of more than 50 pounds.
There are many factors that come into play in determining who will receive social security disability benefits. But generally speaking, individuals over the age of 50 may get leniency in terms of not being required to adapt to a new type of work if it is determined they are no longer able to perform the job they previously had due to physical limitations.
Get an Attorney Involved
If you or someone you know has been denied social security disability benefits due to their ability to perform work of a familiar or unfamiliar job, give the professionals at Tabak Law a call today at 844-432-0114. Tabak Law has a wealth of experience with social security disability benefits and getting previously denied individuals the benefits they deserve.