HOW AGE AFFECTS SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

Your age can have a tremendous impact on your Social Security disability claim.  The older you are, the better your odds are of winning disability benefits.  The odds of winning increase dramatically for claimants over 50.  They increase again at age 55.  Younger individuals can win disability benefits - but the impairments generally have to be more severe.

For disability purposes, Social Security uses the following age categories:

18-44 - a younger individual.  A claimant would either need to meet one of the Listings or show that he cannot perform even sedentary work.  If an individual does not meet or equal a Listing, can perform even sedentary work and is able to read and write English (even with a poor education) he will have a difficult time winning an award at this age.  Exceptions would be if the claimant has an extremely catastrophic illness, severe mental retardation, or if he/she meets a listing.  (Listings describe severe symptoms that must be met).

Ages 45 - 49 - still a younger individual but Social Security realizes that the occupational base may be somewhat more limited for persons who are age 45 and over.  If the applicant does not meet or equal a Listing, is limited to either light or sedentary work and is literate (reads and writes in English) - he will likely be found not disabled. An individual in this age category can win disability for severe physical and/or mental conditions that limit nearly all work activities.

Ages 50 - 54 - This age category is considered "closely approaching advanced age," and the burden of proving disability gets a bit easier.  Education and past work experience are key factors.  If a person has a "residual functional capacity" (RFC) that limits him to sedentary work, has no skilled work history and no transferable skills, and has a limited education (less than high school diploma), he will probably be found "disabled" even though he doesn't meet or equal a listing.

Age 55 + - is considered "advanced age."  This is the relatively easiest category for disability applicants.  Education and past work experience are very important at this level.  An individual in this age group who has less than a high school diploma and no transferable skills--who is further limited to sedentary or light work - is likely to be found disabled.