SSD for Applicants Over 50 in Erie

If you have a disability that keeps you from working and are over 50 in Erie, PA, the Social Security Administration (SSA) knows that getting other work is sometimes more challenging for people in this age group. You, therefore, may have a better chance of obtaining disability benefits, and our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys can help. 

Berger and Green’s attorneys can highlight your age and the limitations that being over the age of 50 bring when making your claim, assist with filing, and represent you during appeals. We won’t let you get lost in the system. You can call us today to explore your options during a free consultation.

Our Erie Lawyers Can Explain Social Security Disability Options If You’re Over 50

Social Security Disability (SSD) allows you to receive funds if you:

• Have worked a certain amount of time
• Have a condition that qualifies for benefits
• Cannot work for a year or more

The application process for Social Security Disability benefits assesses your ability to work to see if you could get a different job that accommodates your condition. If you are able to do another job, your claim application for benefits is denied. 

However, for people over 50, switching to a new job is tough, especially if you don’t have skills that transfer. The SSA determines if you are eligible for consideration under different rules that take your age into account, called the grid rules or “grids.” 

The grids, found in C.F.R. Appendix 2 to Subpart P of Part 404, consider additional factors to decide if you have a disability. Berger and Green’s attorneys are familiar with the grids and can examine your case to see how they could apply. We can explain the process, offer guidance, and file your application. 

We Evaluate Your Age, Education, and Work History

When reviewing your application, the SSA will consider the following to get a better idea of your ability to change careers due to your disability condition:

• Your age group
• Your education level
• Your work and skills

The reason being over 50 years old can matter when it comes to disability claims is the grids split people into groups based on age:

• 18-49
• 50-54
• 55 and up
• 60 and up

The SSA thinks the higher your age bracket, the harder it is to change careers. This is what makes over 50 SSD claims unique.

Likewise, not having a high school diploma or college degree could limit your job options. Naturally, the inverse is true—the higher your education, the more opportunities you have for different positions that can accommodate your disability.

The type of labor you have done in your career can also dictate your current job opportunities. The SSA’s categories for work experience are:

• Unskilled (e.g., a parking lot attendant or dishwasher)
• Semi-skilled (e.g., restaurant server or administrative assistant)
• Skilled (e.g., a medical professional, pilot, or architect)

As with the other factors, the lower your skill level and the less transferable your skills, the greater the chance the SSA will consider you disabled. 

The SSA considers all these aspects of your life and experience, along with the other information Social Security Disability is looking for in applications. The one additional factor is residual functional capacity (RFC). 

We Help Determine Your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

Residual functional capacity (RFC) is your ability to do certain work now that you have a disability. In addition to reviewing your medical records and the documentation of your disability, the SSA can require a medical professional to perform an examination to determine your RFC. They identify if you can do work that is:

• Sedentary
• Light
• Medium
• Heavy

Again, the grids follow a pattern—if you can only do light or sedentary work, limiting your job opportunities, you have a greater chance of receiving approval for your claim. If you can do several types of work, you have a higher risk of receiving a denial letter.

Our Erie Social Security Disability lawyers can go over this with you. We will help you understand how your age, education, work history, and RFC all work together to affect your benefits claim. From there, we can develop a strategy for obtaining your benefits. 

Our Attorneys Can Help With All Types of Social Security Disability Claims in Erie, PA

The law firm of Berger and Green has decades of experience with Social Security that we can apply to your Erie, PA, case. When you hire us, not only do you have people on your side who already know how your age will affect your claim for benefits, but you also gain a team that can take work off your plate. 

You can come to us for help with:

• Understanding Social Security Disability jargon and terminology 
• Determining which form of SSD benefits is right for your circumstances
• Identifying deadlines for applications and appeals
• Filing your application at the correct time and place
• Providing the SSA with access to the proper information
• Gathering evidence and representing you for an appeal

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

A Social Security Disability Insurance lawyer from our firm can explain the criteria for these benefits. SSDI is based on your work history—you must have worked long enough and paid into Social Security to receive benefits. We can go over your work history and the SSA’s Social Security Disability Insurance requirements. 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

These benefits are for people with a disability who have low income or resources. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides extra funds to those who qualify. You can receive SSDI and SSI or, if you don’t qualify for SSDI, our attorney may be able to help you pursue SSI benefits in Erie. 

Undergoing the Appeals Process After a Disability Benefits Denial Claim

The SSA denies more claims than it approves, according to the 2020 Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program. A claim denial is not the end of the line but part of the process. Our over 50 Social Security Disability attorneys serving Erie can analyze what went wrong with your application, gather evidence for the reconsideration and appeals process, and represent you in meetings.

Over 50? Get the Ball Rolling Today on Your Erie Social Security Disability Claim

When working with those over 50 with disabilities in Erie, PA, the Social Security Disability lawyers at Berger and Green do more than just file documents. We explain every step, explore all your options, and don’t charge you a penny until you get your benefits. 

If an accident left you with a disability, we can explore the possibility of financial compensation through a personal injury case. Contact us today to learn more during a free consultation.