How To Qualify for Social Security Disability & What To Know About Non-Exertional Limitations
When determining eligibility for Social Security Disability, the Social Security Administration takes into account both exertional and non-exertional limitations. Such limitations must be established and deemed significant enough to hinder you from performing any meaningful or gainful work before you are considered qualified to receive Social Security Disability benefits.
What is considered a non-exertional limitation?
Non-exertional limitations include pain, fatigue, inability to focus, concentrate, get along with others, and remembering how to do your job from day to day. It is important to determine if you can do a job with your non-exertional limitations. You may have a combination of exertional limitations discussed in a previous blog as well as non-exertional limitations. When you complete your function report and work history report it is important to outline your challenges working and in your personal life. We want to give Social Security a picture of what it is like to live with your disabling condition.
(c) Non-exertional limitations. (1) When the limitations and restrictions imposed by your impairment(s) and related symptoms, such as pain, affect only your ability to meet the demands of jobs other than the strength demands, we consider that you have only no exertional limitations or restrictions. Some examples of no exertional limitations or restrictions include the following: (i) You have difficulty functioning because you are nervous, anxious, or depressed; (ii) You have difficulty maintaining attention or concentrating; (iii) You have difficulty understanding or remembering detailed instructions; (iv) You have difficulty in seeing or hearing; (v) You have difficulty tolerating some physical feature(s) of certain work settings, e.g., you cannot tolerate dust or fumes; or (vi) You have difficulty performing the manipulative or postural functions of some work such as reaching, handling, stooping, climbing, crawling, or crouching. (2) If your impairment(s) and related symptoms, such as pain, only affect your ability to perform the non-exertional aspects of work-related activities, the rules in appendix 2 do not direct factual conclusions of disabled or not disabled. The determination as to whether disability exists will be based on the principles in the appropriate sections of the regulations, giving consideration to the rules for specific case situations in appendix 2. (d) Combined exertional and non-exertional limitations. When the limitations and restrictions imposed by your impairment(s) and related symptoms, such as pain, affect your ability to meet both the strength and demands of jobs other than the strength demands, we consider that you have a combination of exertional and non-exertional limitations or restrictions. If your impairment(s) and related symptoms, such as pain, affect your ability to meet both the strength and demands of jobs other than the strength demands, we will not directly apply the rules in appendix 2 unless there is a rule that directs a conclusion that you are disabled based upon your strength limitations; otherwise the rules provide a framework to guide our decision.
This can be daunting, and tedious with the need to be detailed. We are here to assist and walk alongside you through the process. Please feel free to reach out to our team at Mission Possible Employment. You can reach me at Patty@mpes.net or 866-686-7556.
~Patty
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