SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY GRID

Some applicants for Social Security benefits (SSI, SSDI, etc.) have severe impairments that may not meet (or be equivalent to) SSA’s entry in the Listing of Impairments (see section on Listings).  In those cases the GRID rules come into play.  Where an applicant has a severe medical condition (physical, mental, or combination of both), cannot endure “substantial, gainful activity (SGA),” and their impairment(s) prevent the applicant from continuing to perform their trade or other, past work, SSA has established a series of rules which can be viewed in a grid format (see link below.)

The GRIDs are set up in a series of categories based on the level of exertion required to perform certain physical tasks, from least to most: sedentary, light, medium, heavy, and very heavy. Individuals who can perform at either the “heavy” or “very heavy” level, and who do not suffer from some severe, non-exertional limitations*, are generally not found disabled. Therefore, individuals in this position will not find a listing in the GRID.   Only those individuals who meet the requirements for “sedentary” through “medium” exertion levels will find listings on the GRID.

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After Social Security makes a finding on your exertional level they will then look at the corresponding chart and match your age education and past work will direct a finding of disabled or not disabled. If you have exertional (strength) and non-exertional limitations the Social Security Administration will first determine if you can be found disabled based on the exertional limitations by themselves. If the GRIDs direct a finding of not disabled Social Security will then consider any limitations and how much those additional limitations would erode your ability to perform any jobs at that exertional level.

The importance of age, education and past work in your disability claim. Your disability and how it limits you is not the only factor that decides whether you will be approved for ssd or ssi benefits. In general the older you are the better chance you have of getting disability. The theory SSA goes by is that the older you are the harder it is to adjust to new work. If you are 18-49 years old you are considered to be a younger individual. However ss looks at age 45-49 years as a less advantageous factor for making an adjustment to other work than if you are 18-44. If you are 50-54 years old you are considered closely approaching advanced age. If you are 55 or older you are considered by Social Security to be in advanced age. What age category you fall into is very important especially if you have purely exertional limitations from you disability. Exertional limitations basically mean physical limitations such as in you ability to lift, stand, walk etc.. an example of a non-exertional limitation would be difficulty with memory, concentration etc. from a condition like depression. I will explain how this all comes together later. What is important to remember for now is that the older you are the easier it is to get ssd benefits for people with physical conditions.

Education is also an important factor when Social Security decides if you are disabled. Social Security's theory is that the higher your education the easier it is to find other work. Social Security has several categories of education. From least educated to most they are: marginal to none, limited, high school graduate or more (does not provide for direct entry into skilled work), and high school graduate or more (provides for direct entry into skilled work).

* Non-exertional limitations refer to an individual’s ability to meet the non-strength related demands of their work, such as a difficulty completing work due to anxiety or depression.  For more information on non-exertional limitations, contact the Simon Law Group for a free consultation.  

Call today for your free consultation with a NJ Social Security Disability Attorney 800-709-1131