If your impairment does not meet or equal an impairment listing, the Social Security Administration’s medical-vocational or Grid rules come into play. SSA Grid rules may help disability applicants who are 50 years old or older get approved for Social Security disability benefits if they do not have helpful job skills or the job skills they have are not transferable.
Once a person is 50, if they cannot perform their past work but can perform sedentary, unskilled work, they win their claim!
What Are SSA Grid Rules and How Do They Affect Whether Social Security Will Find Me Disabled?
The Grid rules allow you to get approved for disability benefits through a medical-vocational allowance. Social Security uses a grid of medical-vocational guidelines to determine whether applicants of a certain age should be found disabled, also known as the Grids.
The Social Security Administration believes a younger worker can transition to a new work environment more than an advanced-age worker. The SSA describes this transition as a vocational shift or vocational adjustment. Therefore, it becomes easier to get approved for disability benefits with age, especially if you are 50 years old or older, which is categorized by the SSA as closely approaching advanced age.
Grid Factors
The Grid rules use the following factors to determine if you are disabled:
- Your age
- Your education level
- The skill level of your past work
- Whether you have any transferrable skills, and
- Your residual functional capacity.
Age Group
When applying the Grid rules, the SSA uses the following age groups:
- Younger individuals (18 through 49)
- Closely approaching advanced age (50 to 54)
- Advanced age (55 and over), and
- Closely approaching retirement age (60 and over).
RELATED POST: How Age Affects SSDI Claims – Strategies for Older Workers
Education Level
The SSA also considers a claimant’s education level, as they know it is harder for those with limited education to find jobs they are qualified for. Each claimant will be divided into one of the following age categories:
- High school education (meaning a high school graduate) or more, plus recent training for direct entry into skilled work
- High school education (again meaning a high school graduate) or more, without recent training for direct entry into skilled work
- Limited education (generally 11th grade and below, which excludes high school graduates), and
- Unable to read and write (illiterate, unskilled workers).
Skilled or Semiskilled Past Relevant Work
The Social Security Administration will categorize your past work history as unskilled work, semiskilled work, or skilled work based on the description you provide in your application for benefits, your subsequent Work History Report (Form SSA-3369-BK ), and how the skill level required for your past jobs is classified by the Department of Labor (DOL).
Claimants classified as unskilled workers are more likely to be found disabled under the Grid rules than those with skilled or semiskilled skills (especially as they get closer to advanced age or retirement age).
What Are Examples of Unskilled Work, Semiskilled Work, and Skilled Work?
Unskilled Work
Unskilled occupations are the least complex types of work. Jobs are unskilled when people can usually learn to do them in 30 days or less. Examples of unskilled jobs include working as a parking lot attendant, cleaner or janitor, construction laborer, or fast food worker.
Semiskilled Work
Semiskilled occupations are more complex than unskilled work and simpler than skilled jobs. They contain more variables and require more judgment than unskilled occupations. The content of work activities in some semiskilled jobs may be little more than unskilled. Semi-skilled jobs include waiters, bartenders, security guards, flight attendants, and truck drivers.
Skilled Work
Skilled occupations are more complex and varied. They require more training time and often higher educational attainment. Skilled job examples include healthcare workers, construction skilled laborers, and childcare providers.
Transferable Skilled or Semiskilled Skills
If your past work was skilled or semi-skilled, then the SSA will consider whether you acquired skills transferable to or that would be relevant in another occupation, also called transferable skills. However, skilled or semiskilled skills may also be so specific that they do not transfer to another position. These skills will not be considered transferable.
Residual Functional Capacity
The Grid rules rely on your residual functional capacity (RFC), which is your remaining ability to do certain job-related activities on a regular and sustained (full-time) basis. The different categories of RFC include:
- Sedentary work
- Light work
- Medium work
- Heavy work, or
- Very heavy work.
The heavier your RFC, the harder it will be to get your disability claim approved under the Grid rules.
What Are The Physical Exertion Requirements for Each Category?
Sedentary Work
Sedentary work, such as office work, requires that you be able to lift 10 lbs., stand or walk for 2 hours in an 8-hour day, and sit for 6 hours in an 8-hour day.
Light Work
Light work such as housekeeping requires that you be able to lift 20 lbs., stand or walk for 6 hours in an 8-hour day, and sit for 2 hours in an 8-hour day.
Medium Work
Medium work, such as patient care work, requires that you be able to lift 50 lbs., stand or walk for 6 hours in an 8-hour day, and sit for 2 hours in an 8-hour day.
Heavy Work
Heavy work, such as a skilled construction job, requires that you be able to lift 100 lbs., stand or walk for 6 hours in an 8-hour day, and sit for 2 hours in an 8-hour day.
Very Heavy Work
Very heavy work, such as an unskilled construction job, requires that you be able to lift over 100 lbs., stand or walk for 6 hours in an 8-hour day, and sit for 2 hours in an 8-hour day.
Residual Functional Capacity Forms
The SSA will determine your RFC based on the medical evidence submitted supporting your claim for disability benefits, such as office visit notes, surgical notes, or an RFC form.
It is helpful if your treating provider thoroughly assesses your exertional and non-exertional limitations. We provide our clients with specific RFC forms that help show what work duties you can physically perform.
Using the Grids to Determine If You Will Be Approved for Disability Benefits
To see how the SSA would apply the Grid rules to your case, find the table that addresses your RFC level and the row that describes your age group, educational level, and past work experience. The final column in the table shows how the SSA will decide your claim based on these factors. Here are two tables from the SSA Grid rules:
201.00 Maximum Sustained Work Capability Limited To Sedentary Work As A Result Of Severe Medically Determinable Impairment(s)
Table No. 1 – Residual functional capacity: Maximum sustained work capability is limited to sedentary work due to severe medically determinable impairment(s).
| Rule | Age | Education | Previous work experience | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201.01 | Advanced age | Limited or less | Unskilled or none | Disabled |
| 201.02 | Advanced age | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Disabled |
| 201.03 | Advanced age | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.04 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – does not provide for direct entry into skilled work | Unskilled or none | Disabled |
| 201.05 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – provides for direct entry into skilled work | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 201.06 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – does not provide for direct entry into skilled work | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Disabled |
| 201.07 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – does not provide for direct entry into skilled work | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.08 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – provides for direct entry into skilled work | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.09 | Closely approaching advanced age | Limited or less | Unskilled or none | Disabled |
| 201.10 | Closely approaching advanced age | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Disabled |
| 201.11 | Closely approaching advanced age | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.12 | Closely approaching advanced age | High school graduate or more – does not provide for direct entry into skilled work | Unskilled or none | Disabled |
| 201.13 | Closely approaching advanced age | High school graduate or more – provides for direct entry into skilled work | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 201.14 | Closely approaching advanced age | High school graduate or more – does not provide for direct entry into skilled work | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Disabled |
| 201.15 | Closely approaching advanced age | High school graduate or more – does not provide for direct entry into skilled work | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.16 | Closely approaching advanced age | High school graduate or more – provides for direct entry into skilled work | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.17 | Younger individual age 45-49 | Illiterate | Unskilled or none | Disabled |
| 201.18 | Younger individual age 45-49 | Limited or Marginal, but not Illiterate | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 201.19 | Younger individual age 45-49 | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable. | Not disabled |
| 201.20 | Younger individual age 45-49 | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.21 | Younger individual age 45-49 | High school graduate or more | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable. | Not disabled |
| 201.22 | Younger individual age 45-49 | High school graduate or more | Skilled or semiskilled-skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.23 | Younger individual age 18-44 | Illiterate | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 201.24 | Younger individual age 18-44 | Limited or Marginal, but not Illiterate | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 201.25 | Younger individual age 18-44 | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.26 | Younger individual age 18-44 | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.27 | Younger individual age 18-44 | High school graduate or more | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 201.28 | Younger individual age 18-44 | High school graduate or more | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Not disabled |
| 201.29 | Younger individual age 18-44 | High school graduate or more | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
202.00 Maximum Sustained Work Capability Limited To Light Work As A Result Of Severe Medically Determinable Impairment(S)
Table No. 2 – Residual functional capacity: Maximum sustained work capability limited to light work due to severe medically determinable impairment(s).
| Rule | Age | Education | Previous work experience | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202.01 | Advanced age | Limited or less | Unskilled or none | Disabled |
| 202.02 | Advanced age | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Disabled |
| 202.03 | Advanced age | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.04 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – does not provide for direct entry into skilled work | Unskilled or none | Disabled |
| 202.05 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – provides for direct entry into skilled work | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 202.06 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – does not provide for direct entry into skilled work | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Disabled |
| 202.07 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – does not provide for direct entry into skilled work | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.08 | Advanced age | High school graduate or more – provides for direct entry into skilled work | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.09 | Closely approaching advanced age | Illiterate | Unskilled or none | Disabled |
| 202.10 | Closely approaching advanced age | Limited or Marginal, but not Illiterate | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 202.11 | Closely approaching advanced age | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.12 | Closely approaching advanced age | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.13 | Closely approaching advanced age | High school graduate or more | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 202.14 | Closely approaching advanced age | High school graduate or more | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.15 | Closely approaching advanced age | High school graduate or more | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.16 | Younger individual | Illiterate | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 202.17 | Younger individual | Limited or Marginal, but not Illiterate | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 202.18 | Younger individual | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.19 | Younger individual | Limited or less | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.20 | Younger individual | High school graduate or more | Unskilled or none | Not disabled |
| 202.21 | Younger individual | High school graduate or more | Skilled or semiskilled – skills not transferable | Not disabled |
| 202.22 | Younger individual | High school graduate or more | Skilled or semiskilled – skills transferable | Not disabled |
Are There Other Ways to Win Benefits?
It is possible to get approved for Social Security disability benefits even if the Grid rules indicate that someone in your situation is not disabled. Impairments unrelated to your physical capacity to perform work, such as mental health conditions or difficulty with fine motor skills (use of your hands and fingers), may be severe enough to win your case. Having multiple medical conditions may also help.
Many of these claims will be denied, so you may need to appeal (often more than once) to get approved. Working with an experienced disability lawyer may help you improve your chances of winning your case.
Work with a Social Security Disability Attorney
You should not give up if your initial disability claim or your first appeal is denied. Many claimants’ disability claims are not approved until they reach the hearing level and can attend a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
Nick Ortiz is a Social Security disability attorney who has spent many years working for people with disabilities. With years of experience, he understands the Grid rules and how they apply to older workers, and he knows what medical evidence is required by the SSA to secure a favorable decision so that you can receive cash benefits.
Ortiz Law Firm helps claimants with their initial claims for benefits, will appeal denied claims, and will request a hearing for you as well. We offer a free case evaluation to get started, and even after you enter an attorney-client relationship, there are no fees at all unless you win your claim. Contact us through this website or call us at (888) 321-8131 for help with your claim.
