If you are under age 50 and are contending that you are disabled for Social Security purposes, you will have to demonstrate very significant limitations to win your case.
You are classified as a “younger individual” when you are under the age of 50. In most cases, if the Judge believes you can do sedentary work you will lose your case. Sedentary work means that you can lift light objects up to 10lbs and carry small items such as files or light tools.
In addition to lifting up to 10lbs, if the Judge determines that you can stand or walk for a total of 2 hours during an 8-hour workday, you will probably be denied because you are able to perform light work.
There are additionally functional limitations which may allow a Judge to find you disabled because you cannot perform light work. These limitations include the fact that you may need to alternate, on a frequent basis, sitting, standing, and/or walking.
If you have additional limitations with reaching or handling, using your hands and fingers, you may also be deemed disabled by a Law Judge.
Use of a cane may also overcome a finding that you are able to do sedentary work since you are not able to use both hands while using a cane.
Medical evidence demonstrating an inability to understand or carry out a simple instruction could lead to a finding of disability. An inability to interact with a supervisor or co-workers could also lead to a finding of disability.
When a Judge finds, even with all of your limitations considered, there are some types of sedentary work that you are able to do the question becomes whether or not there are a “significant number” of occupations that you would still be able to perform.
If you are a younger individual with significant limitations and do not feel that you would be able to do a very light manual job, you may qualify for Social Security benefits.
