Social Security Disability for Advanced Age (55-60)
An estimated 10-16% of workers aged 55-60 are disability insurance beneficiaries, according to data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). As we age, the risk of becoming injured or developing an illness that stops us from working rises. Although SSDI claims tend to have higher approval rates for older adults, applicants still face challenges and an increasingly complex process. A Social Security Disability lawyer for advanced age individuals can help you navigate the process.
Contact Carmichael Law Group today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your disability claim. We serve clients nationwide, and you will pay nothing to our attorneys unless we succeed with your SSD claim.
How To Apply For Benefits After 55
Although the process of applying for benefits is the same after 55, there are several factors the SSA will take into consideration for individuals of advanced age. These factors may help improve your odds of being approved.
To be eligible for benefits, you must typically have a condition listed in the SSA’s Blue Book Listing of Impairments or be able to prove that you have an unlisted condition that keeps you from working.
The SSA also uses grid rules to determine eligibility, which considers other factors that affect your ability to support yourself, such as your age, previous work experience, education and what’s known as residual functional capacity (RFC).
RFC refers to your ability to work, both physically and mentally, despite your impairment. The SSA may categorize your RFC as sedentary, light, medium or heavy.
If your RFC is sedentary and you previously worked as a roofer, the SSA may determine that you cannot return to your previous work. The next thing the agency will consider is your ability to work elsewhere based on your education, age, work experience and other factors.
Here is where applicants over the age of 55 have an advantage. The SSA may find that your age, coupled with your education and work experience, may prevent you from working another job. Essentially, the SSA considers it more difficult to change jobs once you reach advanced age.
Due to the SSDI grid rules, applications for Social Security Disability for advanced age individuals are more likely to be approved, but there are no guarantees. The process is still challenging and complex, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
The experienced and knowledgeable attorneys at Carmichael Law Group LLC can guide you through the process and secure the benefits you deserve.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Your Voice in the Fight for the Justice You Deserve
Here's What Sets Our Team Apart
Carmichael Law Group guides you through every step, from applications to appeals, with clear communication and strategic advocacy.
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Focused on Results
We fight tirelessly to secure the benefits you deserve, using strategic legal expertise to achieve the best possible outcome.
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Honest GuidanceWe prioritize clear communication, ethical advocacy, and transparency, ensuring you understand your rights and options.
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Proven Track Record
With years of experience and thousands of successful cases, we provide skilled representation at every stage of your claim.
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Compassionate Advocates
We treat every client with respect, empathy, and personalized attention, guiding you through the SSD process with care.
How Does the SSA Determine Whether You Have a Qualifying Disability?
Even if you have enough work credits, you must still meet the SSA’s definition of a qualifying disability to be approved for benefits.
The SSA will consider five things when making this determination:
- Whether your work activity (if you are currently working) is at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level. If you earn more than the SSA’s limit, you will not be considered to have a disability.
- Whether your condition significantly limits your ability to perform basic work-related tasks for at least 12 months.
- Whether your condition is in the Blue Book Listing of Impairments. If your condition is not listed, you may still qualify for benefits if you can show that your condition is severe enough to limit your ability to work.
- Can you return to your line of work?
- If not, can you perform any other type of work?
If your condition is severe enough to limit your ability to work, you cannot return to your previous job and you cannot perform any other type of work, your claim has a higher chance of being approved. For individuals of advanced age, it is generally easier to tick all of these boxes, but the application process is still complicated.
Understanding the eligibility requirements for SSD can be challenging and overwhelming. A Social Security Disability lawyer for advanced age individuals can help you understand whether you qualify and walk you through the application process.
