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The medical vocational guidelines, sometimes known as "the grid rules" is a method of uniformly categorizing a claimant filing a Social Security disability claim as either disabled or not. The medical vocational guidelines look at three main factors to determine your ability to obtain employment: age, education, and work history.
What Medical Vocational Guidelines Take Into Consideration
The medical vocational guidelines earned the nickname of "the grid rules" because the information the Social Security Administration evaluates is laid out in a grid format 5-column table. The 5 columns are:
While most of the preliminary argument on your Social Security disability claim will revolve around your disabling condition and severity of your symptoms, the medical vocational guidelines look more at your ability to obtain and perform substantial gainful activity given your education, age, and work history.
How Age, Education and Skills Factor In Your Claim
The SSA recognizes that even sedentary jobs such as taking tickets at a movie theater or entering data on a computer are jobs that most employers would rather hire younger, healthier employees for. The medical vocational guidelines analysis takes into consideration that the older, less educated, and less skilled a claimant is, the more difficult it will be for them to find employment.
A claimant's age is often seen as a part of their disability as many employers would rather hire a younger employee who is less likely to be burdened with existing medical problems or family needs. Age-related conditions such as arthritis also factor in to a claimant's condition.
Education is another consideration that can determine a claimant's ability to find employment. Depending on the last completed level of education and the course of study for secondary education, these factors may also impact the SSA's decision of your disability through the medical vocational guidelines.
Finally, the claimant's previous work history and skills are considered in their ability to perform similar work functions. If they have no previous work history, or their skills were highly specialized and not transferrable, their chances of finding a new job are considered lower than those with more experience and generalized skills.
How Your Ft. Lauderdale Disability Lawyer Uses the Guidelines
If your Social Security disability benefits claim has been denied due to the medical vocational guidelines your Ft. Lauderdale disability lawyer will be able to help. Your lawyer will have knowledge of the rules and be able to comb through the grid to find your applicable category. Once they find where the SSA considers you to be denied for your Social Security disability benefits, they can begin to develop evidence to support your claim.
Often, a vocational expert can be brought in to testify about the plausibility that you would be able to find a local source of employment, given the economic situation in your area. A vocational expert will also be able to show how your disability limits your employment options. A medical expert may also be needed to testify about your disability impairments and effect on your ability to perform certain job functions.
Contacting a Ft. Lauderdale Disability Lawyer
If you or your loved is suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Ft. Lauderdale disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The attorneys at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.
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