Those who are over 50 and applying for Social Security should take note of the special rules called Medical Vocational Guidelines that apply to them. After 50, Social Security uses these rules to decide whether or not they believe someone has the ability to continue to work. These guidelines are in place because entry-level jobs can be difficult for people to obtain as they age. There are many reasons behind this, which include:
- The person may be over-qualified for the job and require more pay than the organization is willing to provide
- They may have trouble learning how to do the job due to a gap in generational knowledge
- They may be close to the age of retirement and the company does not desire to try and find a replacement within a close period of time
Because of this, the work that someone has performed in the past becomes relevant to any claim that the person is filing for Social Security benefits and these guidelines also change based on the person’s age.
These guidelines are best illustrated using some of the examples from above. First, the example of the construction worker with the back injury can be analyzed. This person has spent decades refining and honing their skills which are well-suited to construction work and other manual jobs; however, this back injury would prevent them from using these skills in any meaningful capacity, rendering them unable to perform their job to the best of their ability.
Anyone who is over the age of 50 and feels that they do not have the skills to perform the jobs which they have performed in the past should reach out to Match Disability Law for more information. These guidelines can be challenging to understand and it is a good idea to speak with an experienced legal adviser to make sure that not only the individual but also the family understands all of the options that are available to them. It could make a significant difference in the benefits that are received.
