Rules for Determining Disability
The attorneys at your Augusta disability law firm will advise you that the rules used to determine disability most directly apply to a physical impairment limiting your capability to walk, sit, stand, bend, lift, or use your hands to work. Impairments of a mental nature are more complicated.
Whatever type of medical problem—such as a heart condition, back problem, breathing difficulty or any other issue—prevents you from performing particular types of manual labor, the attorneys at your Augusta disability law firm are familiar with the disability rules and will know how to figure a way to obtain a disability ruling for you. Some examples follow:
Examples
- For claimants younger than 50.Even though you might never be hired for a job of this nature, you must prove that you are not able to perform an easy, undemanding job where you can sit most of the time or stand and sit alternately during the day.
- For claimants between ages 50 and 54. Even if you can perform a sit-down job, you may obtain a disability ruling if you can prove that you are unable to perform light work that involves standing and/or walking much of the day, in addition to lifting around 20 pounds.
- For claimants at or over age 55. If you can perform light work you may still be ruled disabled if you can prove that you are unable to do medium-level work such as standing and/or walking most of the time, frequently being required to lift 25 pounds and occasionally being required to lift 50 pounds.
What Your Attorney Needs to Prove
Therefore, the attorneys at your Augusta disability law firm need to prove not only what you are unable to do, but also what you are able to do. If you have performed past jobs where you acquired a large set of skills, this can prove to be complicated. The ALJ will want to be informed of your skills, and you will need to fully explain them.
So how will your attorney be able to prove what you are able and unable to do? By using the testimony you give when answering the judge’s and your attorney’s questions during the hearing. Unless you forget some piece of information and need a reminder from your attorney, try to give answers in your own words and in a clear and concise manner. If you rely on your attorney too much, it may appear to the judge that you are being prodded or given answers by your attorney.
Contact Us
If you have questions and concerns about your Social Security case, please contact the experienced and knowledgeable attorneys at the Augusta disability law firm.
