As a St Louis Social Security disability attorney, David M. Hicks often finds himself explaining the rules that the Social Security Administration follow when making a decision about whether your condition is one that meets the agency’s definition of disability. By understanding the rules that apply to you, you may have a better understanding of what will be required for you and your Social Security disability lawyer in St Louis to prove for your case to be successful.
Determination of Disability in Physical Condition Matters
If your disability claim is based on a mental condition, the determination evaluation will be more complex. The rules primarily apply to conditions that result from physical impairments, such as those that limit your ability to stand, walk, sit or use your hands for extended work periods in your daily job.
How Age Affects Your Disability Determination
The Social Security Administration uses different criteria to determine if you are disabled according to your age when you apply. The most stringent requirements apply to you if you are under age 50 at the time of your application. If you are in this age group, your Social Security disability lawyer in St Louis will be required to prove that your condition prevents you from successfully completing even an easy desk job. To meet this, you will need to show that you are unable to remain seated for the amount of time required to fulfill the duties of a sit-down job, and it will not matter if one is not available to you. If you are between the ages of 50 and 54, your burden will be slightly easier. In this case, you will need to be able to prove that you are unable to complete light work. Light work is defined by the Social Security Administration as work that requires you to be able to stand on your feet for extended periods and to repeatedly lift up to 20 pounds. You may be deemed disabled if you are unable to perform light work even if you are able to perform the tasks associated with a desk job. If you are age 55 or older, you will enjoy the easiest burden out of all of the groups. You will need to prove that you are unable to perform the duties associated with medium-duty work, which the Social Security Administration defines as work that requires you to remain on your feet for extended periods and to repeatedly lift between 25 and 50 pounds.
Contact a St Louis Social Security Disability Attorney
To speak with St Louis Social Security disability attorney David M. Hicks about your case, call (314) 812-4885.
