The Social Security Administration is making it easier for claimants over the age of 50 to obtain benefits. Prior to the age of 50, an individual applying for Social Security Disability benefits needs to prove they are disabled from all jobs in the national economy. However, after the age of 50, the SSA will look more closely at the work you have done in the past. Previously, the SSA would look at your past fifteen years of work. The SSA will now look only at your past five years of work.
It is difficult for many individuals to recall all the jobs they’ve held in the past fifteen years. Additionally, any light and/or sedentary (sit-down) work performed in the past fifteen years may be used to preclude a disabled individual from getting benefits.
The SSA now recognizes that jobs change and evolve quickly with modern technology, and the work you performed ten years ago may be vastly different than the way the same job is performed today. By changing the law from consideration of the past fifteen years of work, to only five years of past work, the SSA is making the process easier for those over the age of 50.
The disability process is a stressful time for many individuals, and having an experienced attorney on your side is important. If you are considering an application for disability, contact the experienced Social Security Disability attorneys at Tanis Schultz for evaluation of your claim.