Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability – Part 5

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In our final part of our 5 part series, we are discussing the process you must go through to be approved for social security disability benefits.  We’ve already discussed the first four steps, which address working, the severity of your impairment, if your medical condition meets or equals a listed impairment by the Social Security Administration, and whether you can perform your past work.  In this series, we will discuss step 5 of the sequential evaluation process which addresses if you can perform any other type of work.  The 5 step sequential evaluation process is noted below for reference:

  1. Are you currently working?  Does your impairment prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity?
  2. Is your condition severe?
  3. Does your medical condition meet or equal a listed impairment?
  4. Can you perform your past work?
  5. Can you do any other type of work?

Step 5

Step 5 of the sequential evaluation process analyzes whether you are able to adjust to other types of work.  The work must be of the type that exists in significant number in the national economy.  The analysis will factor in your past work, your age, remaining work capacity and education level.  If the SSA finds that you cannot adjust and take on other types of work, the SSA will likely find that you are disabled.  If you were denied at any step, please contact Sharry Law Office for a free case evaluation and discuss your appeal.

Filed Under: Disability, sequential evaluation process, Social Security Disability

Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability – Part 4

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In part 4 of our 5 part series, we are discussing the process you must go through to be approved for social security disability benefits.  We’ve already discussed the first three steps, which address working, the severity of your impairment, and if your medical condition meets or equals a listed impairment by the Social Security Administration.  In this series, we will discuss step 4 of the sequential evaluation process which addresses if you can perform your past work.  The 5 step sequential evaluation process is noted below for reference:

  1. Are you currently working?  Does your impairment prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity?
  2. Is your condition severe?
  3. Does your medical condition meet or equal a listed impairment?
  4. Can you perform your past work?
  5. Can you do any other type of work?

Step 4

Step 4 of the sequential evaluation process evaluates your past relevant work.  Generally speaking, past relevant is described as work you performed in the last 15 years.  Only work that was performed at the SGA (substantial gainful activity) should be factored into your past relevant work.  In order to figure out whether you can perform past relevant work, the SSA will examine the physical and mental requirements of your former job in conjunction with your current residual functional capacity. If you are able to perform past relevant work, you will not be considered disabled for purposed of social security disability benefits.  If SSA decides that you can no longer perform your past job, your case will be evaluated at step 5 to determine if you can do any other type of work.  To simplify the analysis, take the least-taxing job you performed in the previous 15 years and argue as to why you can no longer do that job.

In the next series, we will discuss step 5, “Can you do any other type of work?”

Filed Under: Disability, sequential evaluation process, Social Security Disability