The Medical-Vocational Guidelines are used by Social Security to determine disability due to exertional impairments at step 5 of the sequential evaluation process.
The guidelines, or the “grids,” consider a claimant’s exertional level (that’s the medical part) and the claimant’s age, education and work history (the vocational factors). Depending upon these medical-vocational factors, the SSA…
As I talk with prospective clients, they frequently start with the premise that they are disabled because they cannot perform their past work. That is a good start, but it is not enough to obtain Social Security disability benefits. You must also be unable to perform other work.
I have written about this topic…
Every other Friday, I highlight recent articles of note regarding Social Security disability:
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Every other Friday I link to notable articles regarding Social Security disability. The first four articles address misinformation about the Social Security disability program:
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I am old enough to remember Sargeant Phil Esterhaus' trademark phrase on Hill Street Blues: "Let's be careful out there." You should take it to heart.
There is a lot of information regarding Social Security disability available online. Some of it is wrong. Some of it is general in nature, like this site.…
Each month, I shine the spotlight on a previous post that discusses an issue regarding Social Security disability law that remains highly relevant today.
Currently, ALJ allowance rates are down sharply. I have offered specific tips for disability claimants in this new environment, and have published an e-book regarding preparing for a hearing (you…
The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) has launched an excellent new website. It is definitely worth visiting.
I particularly like the new Myths/Facts section. There is quite a bit of misinformation out there about the Social Security disability program. The new NOSSCR website helps to set the record straight.
When Social Security denies a claim for disability benefits at the initial or reconsideration level, the SSA provides a personalized "Explanation of Determination," usually on the last page of the denial letter. The denial letter is otherwise a form letter. Often my first contact with a prospective client is after that person has received a letter…
Photo: Bridget and cousin Grace at the beach
Every other Friday, I link to articles of note regarding Social Security disability.
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The Work History Report is important to your Social Security disability claim, because most cases are decided on a medical-vocational basis. Everyone understands the medical part, which is your health conditions (including mental health conditions) that prevent you from working. However, the medical aspect is only part of the disability analysis.
The other part of the disability analysis is the vocational part, which is your work history as described in the Work History Report, as well as your age and education.
The Work History Report is particularly important to claimants who are approaching age 55, or older. These disability claims tend to focus on the ability to do your past work, and whether or not you have acquired transferable skills. As a result, the Work History Report takes on a monumental importance, because it will be used to assess the physical and mental requirements of your past work.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Claimants often spend all their time on the first page of the report, which asks you to list the jobs performed during the past 15 years, and the dates of employment. People labor over this part, but then when they get to the pages asking them to describe the requirements of each job, they speed through and are not meticulous or thorough. This is a mistake.
The pages of the report that ask you to describe the requirements of your past work are the important part of the work history report. If you do not describe the work requirements accurately, Social Security may conclude that you can still perform that past relevant work. You should fully describe all of the requirements of the work you have performed in the past 15 years. Continue Reading How to fill out a Social Security Work History Report
