Click To Call When Social Security examines the medical evidence in your disability claims file, they pay particular attention to the documents that list the your physical and/or mental limitations to determine the job classification you fall into. The burden is on the disability claimant to prove to Social Security that their limitations prevent them from performing ANY JOB in the national economy.
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How does Social Security Determine Your Ability to Perform Light Work

When Social Security examines the medical evidence in your disability claims file, they pay particular attention to the documents that list the your physical and/or mental limitations to determine the job classification you fall into.

Light work involves:

  • lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time, and
  • frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds, and
  • may require a good deal of walking or standing, and/or
  • may require sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.


Keep in mind that the burden is on you (the disability claimant) to prove to Social Security that you cannot perform ANY JOB in the national economy.

If Social Security finds that you are capable of performing light work, they will also find that you are capable of performing sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

For this reason, the attorneys at LaVan & Neidenberg stress the importance of having strong medical evidence.

Learn why it is so important to ask your doctor to complete specialized medical forms such as, a Residual Functional Capacity Questionnaire (RFC) and/or Mental Capacity Assessment.

Social Security Job Classifications:


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