When people apply for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (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.), age matters. The video “What Is the Difference About Age 50 and 55?” by Social Security Disability attorney Andrew Kinney explains how turning 50 or 55 can change the outcome of your Social Security benefits claim.
While you can certainly be approved for Social Security benefits when you are under 50, being over 50 helps. Here’s why.
Why is Being Over 50 Important
SSAThe Social Security Administration (SSA) is a U.S. government agency that administers social programs covering disability, retirement, and survivors' benefits. It was created in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. uses special rules for people in certain age groups. For people over 50, SSA evaluates only whether you can return to your past kind of work (or use skills from your past work) in the last 5 years. People under 50 can certainly be approved, be they must also prove they cannot do any other kind of full-time work.
This video details how the over 50 rules work and what evidence is helpful.
Key Differences in How SSA Evaluates People Over 50 and Over 55
When you are over 50 years old (but not yet 55), if SSA decides you are limited to sedentary (sit-down) work and lifting no more than 10 pounds, you are approved if you cannot do your past kind of work in the last 5 years.
When you are 55 and older, if SSA decides you are limited to light work (meaning you can be on your feet 6 out of 8 hours a day at a job but only lift up to 20 pounds), you are approved if you cannot do your past kind of work in the last 5 years.
What Applicants Should Do
Given these rules, attorney Andrew Kinney’s video suggests specific actions to strengthen your claim if you are 50 or older with physical disabilities:
- Gather Strong Medical Evidence
Treat not to get just a diagnosis. Follow through with further testing and treatment your providers recommend. Be clear with your providers about all your medical issues, physical and emotional. Make sure your providers do physical examinations at your appointments when appropriate. Bring photos of medical issues like joint swelling that come and go so your providers understand what you are experiencing. - Get Statements Linking Conditions to Daily Work
Ask your providers to be clear about your symptoms and limitations in treatment notes. Social Security will be evaluating these treatment notes for evidence of your ability to stand, lift, bend, etc. If you have physical limitations and mental health limitations, your provider’s mental health limits may be a crucial factor when Social Security evaluates your ability to do your past kind of work in the last 5 years. Treat for all your health issues. - Accommodations at Your Past Work
If you have needed long-term work accommodations in the last 5 years or so and still struggled to work full-time, plan to discuss these limitations at your hearing. You or your lawyer can submit copies of relevant provider work limitations you have. (These may not be included in your provider’s medical treatment records!) Accommodations are direct evidence why you cannot return to your past kind of work full-time.
Your chances of approval for Social Security Disability benefits are higher when you are over 50. Keep treating for your physical issues (old and new). Also, start or continue to treat for any mental health issues.
At Hoglund Law Offices, we want our clients at any age to have the best chance of approval for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits. If you would like our help, please call our national headquarters at 888-373-8806.