While there are several factors that go into determining whether someone qualifies for Social security Disability Benefits, one of the most important factors is age. Age is the factor that determines which standard of work is applied to decide whether a person is disabled.
Age is evaluated in 3 categories.
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Young individual – under age 50
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closely approaching advanced age – (50- 54)
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advanced age – age 55 or older (60 or older is considered “closely approaching retirement age)
Borderline situations are circumstances where a person has just a few months or days to their birthday. This could potentially boost the individual to a different category.For most people, the major dividing lines are the ages of 60, 55, and 50. Once you turn 50, you are no longer required to show that you are incapable of performing sedentary work. This means that even if you are capable of doing a job sitting behind a desk, you can still be considered disabled. Every 5 years, depending on your transferrable skills, the amount of work that you can still be able to do while being considered disabled grows. At age 60, the average high school graduate will only need to show that they are not capable of performing work that requires being on their feet most of the day and carrying 25-50 pounds.
For most people, the major dividing lines are the ages of 60, 55, and 50. Once you turn 50, you are no longer required to show that you are incapable of performing sedentary work. This means that even if you are capable of doing a job sitting behind a desk, you can still be considered disabled. Every 5 years, depending on your transferrable skills, the amount of work that you can still be able to do while being considered disabled grows. At age 60, the average high school graduate will only need to show that they are not capable of performing work that requires being on their feet most of the day and carrying 25-50 pounds.
However as noted previously, there is more to the determination than simply age. Other factors include education, transferable skills, past work, and physical limitations. In general, however, the older you are, the easier it is to be found disabled by Social Security.
Contact our Grand Rapids office today for a free consultation, located here in Kent County in West Michigan.
Grand Rapids Disability Law Firm 