How old do I have to be to apply for SSD?

How old do I have to be to apply for SSD?

By Nicholas Wearne, Attorney

Social Security Department

Snow, Carpio & Weekley

This is kind of a trick question and difficult to answer.  A person is disabled under under the law if they 1) have a severe injury (injury that takes more than a year to heal from), 2) are not working, and 3) are disabled under the law.  There are three ways to prove that a person is disabled under the law 1) if they meet a listing, 2) if they grid, 3) if their condition is so sever that it is equal in severity to a listing.

Age makes a big difference to a person who wishes to prove that they are disabled using the grid. Social Security Disability has a table or spreadsheet they call the grid.  If you plug things like age, education, previous work experience, and current work restrictions into the grid table a person will come out to be disabled or not disabled. The older you are, the easier it is to use the grid to prove that you are disabled.  Before 50 the grid is very difficult to use to prove that you are disabled.  Before 50 we usually try and show that you meet a listing or that your injuries are so severe they are equal to a listing.

So, if you would like to use the grid to prove that you are disabled the best time to apply is once you are over 50.

If you or someone you know has been injured at work or suffers from a medical condition or injury that will keep them from working for 12 months or longer, contact Snow, Carpio & Weekley at 855-325-4781 for a free consultation statewide. You may also learn more about us by visiting our website at www.workinjuryaz.com.