What Are the Social Security Disability GRIDS? Generally, Social Security defines disability as having the inability to work. Social Security considers your ability to go back to your past work. They also look at your ability to do other types of work. However, Social Security understands it may be harder for older individuals to learn new work. Therefore, Social Security has more favorable rules for people over age 50.
What are the GRIDS?
Social Security uses a medical-vocational chart known as the GRIDS when evaluating disability claims. The GRIDS consider different factors including your age, education and work background. They also consider your residual functional capacity or RFC. Social Security looks at the GRIDS chart to see if you qualify for disability even if you can do other types of work.
Social Security Disability GRIDS and your past work
When you apply for disability, you must provide your work history. Social Security asks you to explain the type of jobs you had going back 15 years. They ask you how long you did each job. They also ask how much you earned at your past jobs. Only work done in the past 15 years that resulted in significant earnings is considered relevant for your disability claim. The GRIDS won’t apply if Social Security thinks you can do any past work.
Social Security Disability GRIDS and your RFC
Social Security defines your RFC as what you can do despite your limitations. An RFC includes both mental and physical limitations. Social Security reviews your medical records to figure out your RFC. Therefore, it is extremely important that tell Social Security about all of your doctors. You should see your doctors regularly. Your doctors can help you case by completing an RFC form. They should include both physical and mental limitations caused by your medical conditions. They should also include any side effects from medications or pain levels. Your disability advocate can provide these forms for your doctor.
Social Security Disability GRIDS: categories of work
The GRIDS divide work into several different physical categories. The more physical your past work, the more likely the GRIDS will help you win your case. These categories include:
Sedentary – sitting jobs that don’t require lifting more than 10 pounds
Light – usually require more standing and walking and don’t require lifting more than 20 pounds
Medium – requires lifting between 25-50 pounds
Heavy – requires lifting more than 50 pounds
Social Security Disability GRIDS: transferable skills
In addition to physical limitations, Social Security also considers skills required to do your past work. They must figure out if you can use skills from your past work to do other types of jobs with little or no new training. Social Security considers these types of skills “transferable skills”. If your past work has transferable skills, it may be harder to apply the GRIDS. Any problems you have with memory, attention or concentration can help eliminate transferable skills. If Social Security finds that you can only perform simple or routine tasks, transferable skills don’t apply. Usually, to prove this limitation, you need mental health treatment.
Example 1: applying the GRIDS over 50
In one case, a 53 year old man applied for disability benefits after he broke his ankle. He required surgery and had pins and screws in his foot, developed arthritis in the ankle and ongoing pain. He required a cane, previously worked as a line cook and dishwasher. Social Security found that he could no longer perform his past work as a line cook or dishwasher. They also found he could only do sedentary jobs. Since his past work had no transferable skills, the GRIDS applied. Social Security approved his disability claim.
Example 2: applying the GRIDS over 50
In another case, a 50 year old woman applied for disability benefits because she had lumbar disc disease, osteoarthritis in her knees and depression. She previously worked as a medical receptionist and office clerk. Social Security found despite her impairments, she could still perform sedentary work. However, they also found she could only perform simple and routine tasks due to her depression. Since her job required more complex tasks, she was not able to return to her past work. Therefore, the GRIDS allowed Social Security to approve her claim.
Example 3: applying the GRIDS over 55
For example, a 58 year old man applied for disability after he had a heart attack. He needed heart surgery and had several stents placed. His doctor told him he could no longer lift more than 10 pounds due to the stents. Despite surgery, he also continued to have chest pain and shortness of breath. He previously worked as a dump truck driver. Social Security found that he could not perform his past work. However, they felt he could do light work. Since he was 58 years old and could no longer perform his past work, the GRIDS applied. He was awarded disability benefits.
Example 4: applying the GRIDS over 55
In another example, a 60 year old woman filed for disability due to diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, asthma and anxiety. She previously worked as an auditor and housekeeper. Social Security found that she could not return to her past work as an auditor because she could only perform simple tasks. They found she could not return to her past work as a housekeeper because she could not stand or walk for long periods. They applied the GRIDS and found her disabled.
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Can I Get SSDI if I am 60 years old? You can get disability benefits up until full retirement age. Currently, full retirement age is 66 and 2 months. Generally, winning a disability claim gets easier for people as they get older.
SSDI vs. Early Retirement
You can file for early retirement benefits once you turn 62. However, collecting early retirement rather than filing for SSDI has some drawbacks. If you take early retirement, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced. The amount Social Security reduces your benefit depends on the number of months you have until your reach full retirement age. If you apply and get approved for SSDI, you will receive 100% of your monthly benefit. That benefit continues when it switches over to Social Security when you reach full retirement age.
Filing for SSDI at 60 years old
SSDI benefits can be time consuming and challenging. However, if you have the proper documentation to support your claim, you can win your claim. SSDI requires that your medical conditions prevent you from working. Additionally, you must be incapable of working for at least 12 months. Luckily, Social Security can make it easier to receive SSDI when they are close to retirement age.
SSDI at 60: medical evidence
Social Security has to figure out how your conditions interfere with your daily activities. They do this by reviewing your medical records. Therefore, you need to see your doctors regularly for your conditions. Additionally, you should be in treatment with specialists. Frequently, records kept by specialists document your symptoms and problems better than your general doctor. Your doctors can also help your claim by completing a form explaining how your conditions impact your functioning, known as an RFC form.
SSDI at 60: grid rules
Social Security considers several factors to decide if a person qualifies for SSDI. These factors include a person’s age, education, residual functional capacity (RFC) and their work history. Your RFC includes what you can do despite your medical conditions. Once Social Security figures out your RFC, they consider the grid rules.
SSDI at 60: applying the grid rules
Once Social Security figures out your RFC and you past work, they will look to the grid rules. Basically, the grid rules allow Social Security to approve your SSDI claim even if you can do other work. Social Security has separate charts for different physical categories. Specifically, they include sedentary, light and medium physical categories.
SSDI at 60: Your past work
In order to apply the grid rules, Social Security must categorize your past work. The grid rules only apply if you can’t return to any of your past work. Social Security only considers past relevant work. Past relevant work includes work you’ve done within the past 15 years. Additionally, it should have resulted in significant earnings. Temporary or part-time jobs might not count as past relevant work. Your past work gets classified under one of the physical categories.
SSDI at 60: your job skills
Social Security looks at the type of skills required to do your past work. Social Security considers whether any skills you learned at your previous jobs could be used to do something else. If you do, Social Security considers them “transferable skills”. Generally, people who performed semi-skilled or skilled jobs will have developed skills they could use doing something else. This can make it harder to apply the grid rules. However, at age 60, there must be little to no additional training or adjustment. Some jobs require such specialized skills, Social Security will decide that the worker doesn’t have transferable skills.
SSDI at 60: your RFC
Your RFC can include both mental and physical limitations. Social Security evaluates your ability to perform activities required for you to work. You must show that your medical conditions interfere with your daily activities. Social Security reviews your medical records to figure out your RFC.
Example 1: applying the grid rules at 60
Julia, a 61 year old woman applied for SSDI due to coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. She also suffers from depression. Julia previously worked as a cook. Her job required her to lift and carry up to 50 pounds at times. Social Security found that she could not perform her job as a cook. She had no transferable skills. Social Security awarded Julia disability benefits.
Example 2: applying the grid rules at 60
Frank, a 60 year old man applied for SSDI due to a right shoulder injury. He previously worked as a janitor. He also had past work as a construction worker. Frank has difficulty lifting and carrying heavy items with his right arm. In fact, he can’t pick up more than 15 pounds. Social Security found that Frank could perform light work. Frank has no transferable skills. Therefore, Social Security approved Frank’s SSDI claim.
Disability Help Group: SSDI at 60 case study
For example, Matthew applied for SSDI because he had arthritis in his knees. He was 62 years old and worked as a fork-lift operator in a warehouse for many years. Matthew had only visited his primary care doctor. His doctor gave him a referral to physical therapy. Unfortunately, Matthew as denied for SSDI. He then contacted Disability Help Group for help with his appeal. Our advocate suggested that he get x-rays and imaging of his knees. She also suggested that he get a prescription for the cane he used. Matthew followed his advocate’s advice. On appeal, Matthew’s additional medical evidence helped show that he could not return to his job as a fork-lift operator. Therefore, Social Security applied the grid rules and approved his case.
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What Are the GRIDS for SSDI? Social Security has special disability rules for people over the age 50. Social Security uses a chart called the Medical-Vocational guidelines to evaluate your claim known as the “grid rules”. The grid rules make it easier for older people to win their case.
SSDI GRIDS factors
Social Security understands that it may be harder for people over 50 to do new or different work. First, Social Security considers whether your conditions meet specific requirements under their medical listings. Often, these conditions can be very difficult to meet. Next, Social Security considers the GRIDS. The grid rules consider several factors. These include:
Your age, education or work history
Skills from your past work
Your residual functional capacity (RFC)
SSDI GRIDS and your age
Generally, Social Security divides people into four age groups. Typically, if you are 50 or older, Social Security can use the GRIDS to approve your case even if you can do other work. The rules can be even more favorable for people over 55. These age groups include:
Younger individuals: ages 18-49
Closely approaching advanced age: ages 50-54
Advanced age: ages 55-59
Closely approaching retirement age: ages 60 and older
SSDI GRIDS and your education
Social Security considers your education level. Generally, the less education you have, the harder it would be to find other types of jobs. Social Security used to consider a person’s ability to communicate in English. However, a recent rule change removed this factor. Education categories include:
Illiteracy – inability to read or write in any language
Marginal – completed 6th grade or less in any country
Limited – completed 7th through 11th grade in any country
High school education and above in any country
SSDI GRIDS and you work history
Social Security must categorize your past work before applying the GRIDS. The GRIDS only apply if you can’t perform any of your past work. Social Security only considers past relevant work. This includes work performed in the last 15 years. It must have resulted in significant earnings. Temporary or part-time jobs might not count as past relevant work. Providing accurate information about your past work can be very important to your SSDI case.
SSDI GRIDS and physical levels of work
Social Security divides types of work by their physical requirements. For people 50 or older, the more physical your past work was, the easier it is for Social Security to apply the GRIDS. The physical categories of work include:
Sedentary – sitting jobs that don’t require lifting more than 10 pounds
Light – usually require more standing and walking and don’t require lifting more than 20 pounds
Medium – requires lifting between 25-50 pounds
Heavy – requires lifting more than 50 pounds
SSDI GRIDS and job skills
Social Security looks at any skills required to perform your past work. Sometimes, skills from your past work can be used to do different types of jobs. Generally, these skills can be used in other jobs with little or no additional training. Social Security refers to these skills as “transferable skills”. If Social Security finds that you have transferable skills to other work, the GRIDS may be harder to apply.
SSDI GRIDS and getting around transferable skills
However, there can be ways around transferable skills. Typically, this can be done if you have a mental health impairment. Mental health impairments include conditions such as depression or anxiety. However, they can also include side effects from medications or the impact pain has on mental functioning. When a person has medical evidence documenting mental health impairment, Social Security must evaluate their ability to perform the mental demands of work. Usually, Social Security concludes a person can only perform simple, routine tasks when there is evidence of mental health impairment. This limitation eliminates transferable skills.
SSDI GRIDS and your RFC
Social Security defines residual functional capacity (RFC) as what you can do despite your limitations. An RFC includes both physical and mental limitations. Social Security determines your RFC based on your medical records. They can also consider opinions from your treating doctors. Social Security cannot determine your RFC from a diagnosis alone. Therefore, you must see your doctors regularly. You should see specialists if you can.
Applying SSDI GRIDS
Once Social Security figures out your RFC and your work history, they will look at the GRIDS. Social Security has separate GRIDS for sedentary, light and medium work. For people over 50, the more physically limited you are and the more physically demanding your past work was, the more likely the GRIDS show you should be found disabled.
Example 1: SSDI GRIDS over 50
For example, Janet, a 52 year old woman previously worked as an office manager. Janet completed high school. She filed for SSDI because she was having worsening anxiety and osteoarthritis in her knees. Janet has difficulty standing and walking for long periods. Her doctors prescribed her a cane. Despite medication and therapy, Janet has difficulty managing her anxiety symptoms. Social Security found that Janet could not perform her past work. They also found that she could not do any other light jobs. She also was limited to simple and routine tasks. Therefore, the GRIDS applied and Janet was approved for disability.
Example 2: SSDI GRIDS over 55
In another example, Jose filed for SSDI after injuring his back. He is 57 years old and has a high school education. Jose worked for many years as a dishwasher. Since his injury, he has difficulty sitting and standing for long periods. He can’t lift or carry more than 10 pounds. Social Security found that he could do light work. His job as a dishwasher doesn’t have any transferable skills. Therefore, the GRIDS allowed social Security to approve Jose’s case.
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SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans. Applying for SSA and VA disability benefits can be frustrating and time-consuming. Both programs help disabled individuals receive benefits. However, they have very different requirements for determining disability. The following tips will help with both.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 1: Understand the difference between SSA and VA disability benefits
The VA doesn’t require that you prove total disability. Compensation rates range from 10%-100%, in 10% increments. However, you must show that your conditions were “incurred or aggravated by your military service.” You must also show a nexus between your diagnosis and in-service incurrence. Unlike VA benefits, SSA doesn’t distinguish between partial and total disability. Therefore, you must show that your medical conditions keep you from working in any job. Although, SSA has some more favorable rules for people over the age of 50.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 2: Be prepared when filing your application
SSA and VA disability benefits applications require a lot of information. Providing complete information gives you a better chance of winning your case. For SSA, you should provide all of your medical treatment information on your application. It should include doctors you see regularly as well as any hospitalizations or emergency room visits. For VA disability claims, you should be very specific with what you’re claiming. You should include your diagnosis as well as how it is connected to your service.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 3: Understand the rules
Generally, Social Security disability requires that your medical conditions keep you from working at all. However, Social Security uses a chart called the Medical-Vocational guidelines to evaluate your disability claim. These guidelines are known as the “grid rules”. The grid rules make it easier for older people to win their case. Typically, if you are over the age of 50, the grid rules can allow Social Security to approve your case even if you can do other work. The rules are even more favorable if you are over age 55. However, the VA doesn’t consider your age. Therefore, an approval from SSA doesn’t guarantee a 100% VA rating.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 4: Get treatment with specialists
For both SSA and VA disability benefit claims, you should be in treatment with specialists. Frequently, records kept by specialists record your symptoms and problems better than a general doctor. They focus on specific information such as special tests or examinations. Both SSA and the VA look at the severity of your medical conditions. Generally, records kept by specialists can help document how severe your conditions affect you.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 5: Stay in treatment
Again, both SSA and the VA need to assess the severity of your conditions. Ongoing treatment with your doctors help document the length of time your conditions have affected you. Ongoing treatment can also show the different types of treatment you’ve received for your conditions.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 6: Getting your doctor to complete forms
Many times, medical records alone won’t clearly translate how your symptoms cause problems doing things. Therefore, your doctors can complete forms that help make the connection. For SSA, your doctors should complete an RFC form. An RFC form includes both physical and mental limitations. It details how your conditions impact your life on a daily basis. For the VA, your doctor can complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQs) provided by the VA. These DBQs apply to every kind of disability. These forms provide check boxes that make it easy for doctors to complete. If the symptoms noted in the DBQ satisfy the criteria for a higher rating, the VA will likely grant that rating.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 7: Attend all appointments
You need to cooperate with SSA and the VA in order for your claim to be approved. At times, SSA will schedule a medical appointment to provide additional information. Similarly, the VA will likely schedule a VA compensation and pension (C&P) exam. You must attend any C&P exam. If you miss either a SSA exam or a C&P exam, SSA and the VA will deny your claim.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 8: Check on the status of your claim
Checking on the status of your claim can be important. It allows you to make sure SSA and the VA handle your case properly. You can check to make sure your doctors’ records were received. You should confirm that they received any forms you completed. It also allows you to check for any additional information SSA or the VA requests from you. Lastly, it ensures that you don’t miss any important deadlines.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 9: Appeal unfavorable decisions
SSA often denies claims. You should appeal any denials. Re-filing a new application doesn’t help you get approved for benefits. It actually only delays the appeals process. Your chances for getting approved improve when you appeal an unfavorable decision. In fact, most cases have the best chance for approval at the hearing level. The VA often assigns a lower disability rating that you believe you have. Similar to SSA, it is best to appeal your disability rating. You only have one year to file an appeal. If you don’t appeal in time, then you must submit a new claim and basically move to the back of the line.
SSA and VA Disability Benefit Tips for Veterans 10: Work with a disability advocate
Navigating the SSA or VA disability process can be overwhelming and exhausting. Both require a lot of information and paperwork. Working with an experienced disability advocate ensures that they get the information they need to process your claim. Your disability advocate walks you through the process and answers all of your questions. They regularly check on the status of your case. Your disability advocate also files any necessary appeals.
If you’d like help with your case, our experts are standing by. Give us a call today at 800-800-3332.
How is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome a Disability? Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may cause mental and physical exhaustion frequently over long periods of time. Your fatigue may likely interfere with your daily activities. Often, it can result in impaired cognitive functions. If your chronic fatigue syndrome keeps you from working, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI).
Chronic fatigue syndrome and Social Security disability
Social Security disability considers chronic fatigue syndrome a significant impairment. However, you must meet certain requirements to receive SSDI benefits. Generally, Social Security requires any disabling condition interfere with your normal daily activities. Additionally, your symptoms must keep you from working for at least 12 months. For SSDI, you must have worked a certain amount of years recently.
Social Security defines chronic fatigue syndrome
Social Security relies, in part, on the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) definition to evaluate CFS. The CDC defines chronic fatigue syndrome as persistent fatigue that has a definite date of onset. There is no other mental or physical cause. Rest or sleep doesn’t improve the fatigue. Lastly, the fatigue significantly interferes with work, school, social, or personal activities. The diagnosis also requires at least four of the following symptoms for at least six months:
A general feeling of being unwell that lasts at least 24 hours following a period of exertion
Memory or concentration problems that cause a significant reduction in your activities
Frequent sore throats
Tender lymph nodes in the neck or under the arm
Muscle pain
Joint pain in different areas without swelling or redness
Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
Waking up unrefreshed
How does Social Security evaluate chronic fatigue syndrome?
Social Security Ruling 14-1p provides certain requirements to evaluate chronic fatigue syndrome. First, Social Security must establish your chronic fatigue syndrome as a “medically determinable impairment” (MDI). Social Security makes a finding that a condition is an MDI when there is objective medical evidence including medical signs and/or laboratory findings.
Establishing chronic fatigue as a medical determinable impairment
First, you must provide evidence from an acceptable medical source. This includes a licensed physician such as a medical or osteopathic doctor. Second, you must show that your doctor reviewed your medical history. They must also perform a physical exam. Sometimes, your doctor may make a diagnosis on reported symptoms. However, Social Security requires medical signs and laboratory findings to support the diagnosis. Additionally, there can’t be another medical condition causing the fatigue.
What medical signs does Social Security require?
Social Security will look for specific medical signs that document your chronic fatigue syndrome. These signs must be documented over at least 6 consecutive months. The medical signs include:
Abnormal tests such as an MRI, exercise stress test and/or sleep studies
Other medical signs such as frequent viral infections, sinusitis, ataxia, extreme pallor and significant weight changes
How does Social Security determine if I am disabled due to my chronic fatigue syndrome?
Social Security evaluates any physical or mental limitations caused by your chronic fatigue syndrome. This helps determine your residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC is what you can do despite your medical conditions. Your doctor can also fill out an RFC form. They can explain specifically how your symptoms impact your functioning.
Documenting your chronic fatigue symptoms
Your medical records should include all laboratory testing your doctors ordered. Your doctor should note any other medical conditions considered and ruled out for a cause of your symptoms during each visit. This should also include all positive objective findings. Thus you doctor should note any tender points. They should also document symptoms such as problems with memory, attention or concentration.
Example 1: documenting your chronic fatigue symptoms
Janet’s doctor diagnosed her with chronic fatigue syndrome. Her doctor ordered blood work that showed positive Epstein-Barr virus. He tested for other conditions but nothing explained her chronic fatigue. Janet’s medical records consistently documented her tender points and muscle pain. Her doctor also noted that she became very tired after doing even small tasks at home. Social Security evaluated Janet’s records. They determined that her chronic fatigue syndrome kept her from working.
Chronic fatigue syndrome and RFC forms
Your doctor can fill out an RFC form to help explain how your symptoms impact your daily activities. Your doctor may note physical limitations. As an illustration, your doctor may state that you can’t lift more than 10 pounds,have trouble standing and walking. You were limited to 2 hours in an 8 hour day. Your doctor should also note any mental limitations, may state that you would have difficulty concentrating during a work day. They may also note that you would frequently miss work. Although these forms are well-supported by your medical records, they can help get your claim approved.
Example 2: how an RFC form can be helpful
Susan has been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. Her medical records support her diagnosis. Susan’s doctor completed an RFC form. Specifically, She noted that Susan had difficulty sitting or standing for long periods. She also could not lift or carry more than 10 pounds. Additionally, Susan’s doctor reported that her symptoms would cause Susan to miss work frequently. Social Security found that Susan was unable to work. Consequently, they approved her claim.
Disability Help Group winning case study
Justin’s doctor diagnosed him with chronic fatigue syndrome. He could no longer work. Justin needed to file for Social Security disability. Justin contacted Disability Help Group. Justin’s advocate helped explain what he needed to win his case. Justin was able to speak with his doctors about properly documenting his signs and symptoms. His doctors made sure to include all of his positive findings in each office visit note. Social Security was able to fully evaluate Justin’s chronic fatigue syndrome. As a result, Disability Help Group helped Justin win his disability benefits.
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