A listing is a medical impairment that is so severe that Social Security will recognize it as disabling and award benefits if you meet the severity described in the listing. The listings technically are Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix I of the 20 Code of Federal Regulations.
Diseases or impairments are divided into 14 body systems. For example, section 1.00 covers the musculoskeletal system and describes such impairments as bone fractures, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, etc. Section 2.00 deals with the special senses, including vision and speech disorders. The last section, 14, covers the immune system.
If an individual has one of the listed impairments that meets or equals the level of severity described in the listings, Social Security will award disability benefits.
Must you meet one of the listings to be eligible for disability benefits? No, you do not. In fact, most individuals who get Social Security disability do not meet a listing. Even if you do not meet a listing, you may be found disabled in one of the following ways:
1. You meet a medical-vocational guideline (grid rule) based on your age, education, past work experience and residual functional capacity. The medical-vocational guidelines are actually Appendix 2 of the same section of regulations. It is easier to meet a grid rule if you are age 50 or above, have a limited education with either unskilled work history or no work history. Persons who are younger, better educated or have skilled work backgrounds are less likely to meet a medical-vocational (grid) rule.
2. If you do not satisfy a medical-vocational guideline, you may qualify for benefits by proving that your impairment(s) make it impossible for you to perform any of your past relevant work or any other full-time work that is available in the national economy--based on your age, education, past work experience, etc. For example, a person who is age 40 with a high school education will not meet a medical-vocational guideline (grid rule) in most situations. However, if he has an impairment that does not permit any full-time work, he may still qualify for benefits.
A disability advocate, counselor or representative is trained to evaluate your case and determine the best way to approach getting you qualified for benefits. Without this training and experience you might still get approved but it's much more of a shot in the dark.
Diseases or impairments are divided into 14 body systems. For example, section 1.00 covers the musculoskeletal system and describes such impairments as bone fractures, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, etc. Section 2.00 deals with the special senses, including vision and speech disorders. The last section, 14, covers the immune system.
If an individual has one of the listed impairments that meets or equals the level of severity described in the listings, Social Security will award disability benefits.
Must you meet one of the listings to be eligible for disability benefits? No, you do not. In fact, most individuals who get Social Security disability do not meet a listing. Even if you do not meet a listing, you may be found disabled in one of the following ways:
1. You meet a medical-vocational guideline (grid rule) based on your age, education, past work experience and residual functional capacity. The medical-vocational guidelines are actually Appendix 2 of the same section of regulations. It is easier to meet a grid rule if you are age 50 or above, have a limited education with either unskilled work history or no work history. Persons who are younger, better educated or have skilled work backgrounds are less likely to meet a medical-vocational (grid) rule.
2. If you do not satisfy a medical-vocational guideline, you may qualify for benefits by proving that your impairment(s) make it impossible for you to perform any of your past relevant work or any other full-time work that is available in the national economy--based on your age, education, past work experience, etc. For example, a person who is age 40 with a high school education will not meet a medical-vocational guideline (grid rule) in most situations. However, if he has an impairment that does not permit any full-time work, he may still qualify for benefits.
A disability advocate, counselor or representative is trained to evaluate your case and determine the best way to approach getting you qualified for benefits. Without this training and experience you might still get approved but it's much more of a shot in the dark.
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