There are three things I always ask a potential client. 1) What kind of work have you done in the past 15 years? 2) What is your age? 3) What training or education have you done and when? In my next three blogs, I will cover all three of these questions and why they are asked. In this blog, I’ll share the details of work in relation to Social Security Disability Benefits.
Work is defined 8 hours a day, 5 days per week or wages less than Substantial Gainful Earnings or (SGA) which in 2022 is $1410 per month. The $1350 (or $2190 if blind) gross earnings or before taxes are taken or $1350 net for those self-employed.
Social Security Disability is based on the question, “Can you work or not work?” Is it medically provable that you are not able to work? Just saying “I can’t work” is not enough to prove your case. You must seek medical professionals and have good, consistent documentation of your limitations. Your medical professionals’ will want to document your diagnosis, labs and tests for both physical and mental issues.
For physical limitations, Social Security will be looking at your ability to walk, stand, sit, lift, carry, push, pull, stoop, crouch, bend; and use your arms, hands, and feet. Social Security has five “exertional levels” to determine your limitations. Sedentary is limited to sitting 6 out 8 hours, lifting 10 pounds occasionally, 1/3 of an 8-hour day, or less than 10 pounds 2/3 of an 8-hour day. Light exertional work is walking up to 6 hours of an 8 hours a day, lifting 20 pounds 1/3 of the day and lifting, up to, 10 pounds 2/3 of an 8-hour day. Medium exertional work is the ability to lift, up to, 50 pounds 1/3 of the day and 25 pounds up to 2/3 of a day with lots of walking, standing and physical ability to do all the movements. Social Security also has heavy and very heavy work, which is over 50 pounds and up to 100 pounds of lifting.
There are non-exertional limitations which may satisfy the reasons a person can’t work. Some of those questions revolve around how you get along with co-workers and supervisors. Can you stay on task? Can you learn a new tasks? Can you get to work? Can you work at a competitive production pace? Can you work without being a disruption to others because of your mental health? Can you work with your fatigue and pain?
Social Security can decide that you are or are not able to work based on your physical health, your mental health, and a combination of both. It is imperative that you speak to your doctor. I often ask people I work with who are seeking Social Security Disability to give me a good description of their job. Then ask them to explain how they did the job differently than what the “job description” they were given required. Also, I ask people to speak to their medical professionals about their limitations. Remember it must be documented.
For more details you may want to check out SSR 83-10. We’re here to help, feel free to reach out to see what we can do for you!
~ Patty
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