How Does Being Over 50 Strengthen My Social Security Disability Benefits Claim?
Navigating the Social Security Disability benefits process can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with injuries, chronic pain, or other medical challenges. But according to Andrew Kinney, a Social Security Disability attorney at Hoglund Law Offices with decades of experience (and an editor of “The Social Security Practice Guide” published by LexisNexis), age can work in your favor when applying for benefits. In a recent discussion, Mr. Kinney explains that while you do not need to be over 50 to be approved for Social Security Disability and SSISSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. benefits, being over 50 can make your approval more likely.
At the center of this shift are the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, commonly called “the grids.” These rules help Social Security evaluate whether someone with physical limitations can still perform past work or adjust to new work. As Mr. Kinney explains, the grids recognize that as people get older, it becomes harder to learn new job skills or transition to different types of work—especially when physical limitations are involved.
What Changes at Age 50?
The key advantage proving you are disabled at over age 50 is this: Social Security does not require you to prove you can’t do any job. Instead, the question narrows to whether you cannot still do your past kind of work full-time. For those adults under 50, you must prove you can no longer do your past kind of work and any other kind of full-time work.
If you’re between 50 and 54 and limited to sit-down (sedentary) work, Social Security generally can approve you if you cannot do your past kind of work full-time that you did in the last 5 years. Medical issues such as chronic low back, leg pain, or leg swelling can limit you to sedentary work.
What Changes at Age 55?
Once you turn 55, the standard is more favorable. If you are limited to lifting and carrying no more than 20 pounds (light work), Social Security generally can approve you if you cannot do your past kind of work full-time that you did in the last 5 years. Medical issues such as chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain can limit you to lifting and carrying no more than 20 pounds.
As Mr. Kinney notes, these age categories reflect the idea that older individuals may face greater challenges when trying to adapt to new kinds of employment—especially with physical problems.
What If You Applied Before Turning 50 or 55?
Mr. Kinney frequently sees clients applying before they turn 50 or 55. If you turn 50 or 55 while your Social Security Disability or SSI claim is still pending, your attorney may change (amend) your onset date—the date you claim your disability began. Amending your onset date can take advantage of a more favorable age category. Mr. Kinney notes that being found disabled more recently, however, will likely reduce your back pay. This is a strategic legal decision that an experienced Social Security hearing attorney can help you with.
Can You Be Approved if You’re Under 50?
Absolutely. Mr. Kinney emphasizes that plenty of people under 50 qualify for disability benefits. The difference is simply that younger applicants must prove they cannot return to past work or perform any other type of work in the national economy. The standard is stricter, but not impossible to meet.
If you are under 50 at the time of your Social Security hearing, a good rule of thumb is that your physical and mental health conditions, ongoing medical treatment, and medical testing need to show why you cannot at least do unskilled, sit-down work full-time.
Final Thoughts
Your Social Security attorney should help you understand how your age, medical conditions, and ongoing medical treatment may help you get approved for Social Security Disability or SSI benefits. If you’re approaching age 50 or 55, ask your Social Security attorney whether the grids can help you get approved for benefits.
Our lawyers at Hoglund Law Offices help clients across the country get approved for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits. No matter where you live, you can call us at 888-373-8806.
