For Social Security Disability and SSI, What Does It Mean When A person Can Only Do Sedentary Work?Social Security defines sedentary work as: being able to sit for up to 6 hours in an 8 hour day, and lift up to 10 pounds occasionally. If an individual's residual functional capacity (what they are able to with regard to normal daily activities) is restricted to a full range of sedentary work, they may or may not be approved for disability benefits. The older an individual is, the better the chance they can be approved for disability if they are limited to a full range of sedentary work. The only way an individual under the age of fifty with a sedentary residual functional capacity can be approved for disability is A) if they are illiterate or unable to communicate in English and B) have performed no work, or have only done unskilled work. Once an individual is between the ages of fifty and fifty-four, their chances of being approved for disability improve somewhat. Individuals with a high school diploma or more who do not have direct entry into skilled work, who are skilled or semi skilled, but their skills are not transferable to other work, can be found disabled with a residual functional capacity that is limited to sedentary work. Or, a high school graduate or more with no direct entry to skilled work, whose work is unskilled, or they have had no work, may be found disabled if their residual functional capacity is sedentary. Individuals who are fifty to fifty-four with limited or less education that have worked unskilled jobs, or skilled or semi-skilled jobs whose skills are not transferable, or have not worked at all, may also be approved with a residual functional capacity rating of sedentary. Generally, individual who are fifty-five years or older who have a residual functional capacity of sedentary can be found disabled unless they performed skilled or semi-skilled work with transferable skills. This includes individuals who are high school graduates or individuals with limited or less education. Note: If an individual has job skills that can be transferred to another job, they may be denied disability benefits even if they have a sedentary residual functional capacity. This is because the social security administration does not award disability benefits for SSI or SSD to individuals who have the ability to find other employment if they cannot do their former work. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Is it hard to get disability in NC? Strengthening your disability case by providing the details of your work history What does Social Security Disability Need to Know about your Work History and Jobs? You Must Give Social Security Disability Your Work History When You Apply Will Social Security Decide That I can go Back to My Old Job? What does social security mean by past work? What does social security mean by other work? For Social Security Disability and SSI, What Does It Mean When A person Can Only Do Sedentary Work? How does Social Security Disability Decide if you can Work or Not? SSI Disability and when a claim is filed Applying for Disability in Michigan Filing a Disability appeal in Michigan Will I qualify for disability Benefits in Michigan? |
