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Grids
There are two ways to be approved for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
1) The claimant is found to meet the medical listings, or the guidelines for approval.
2) The claimant’s disability does not fit a specific listing, but does meet “the Grids."
The Grids are basically a series of charts that make the complicated range of disabilities more uniform and standardized. They consider several factors, including the ability to exert oneself (measuring strength or labor), age, education and skill level, and relevant past employment history. The factors that are most often approved on the Grids include:
• Inability to meet SGA
• Disability is medically determinable and severe
• Claimant is of advanced age (55+) or closely approaching advanced age (50-54), as they are considered less able to gain and adapt to a new job than a younger individual
• Claimant has limited education (high school or less)
• Claimant has “unskilled" or “semi-skilled" work history
• Claimant is unable to perform past work and skills are nontransferable
• Claimant is unable to perform more than sedentary or light work
However, if your situation is different than that described above, you may still have a good chance of being approved for disability as the Grids allow for individual and unique circumstances. To find out if you qualify under the Grids, check with a disability representative.
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