How Do I Get Disability/SSDI if Over Age 50 in Cook County?

Illinois Lawyer for Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits Over The Age Of 50

In general, the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes it very difficult to get Social Security disability benefits, especially for those who are under the age of 50. There are a number of reasons for this:

• If you are over 50, it can be more difficult to transition and learn the required attributes for a new skilled work position.
• SSA statistically will have to pay more money over time to a younger individual. Sometimes, it seems like SSA does not like to see younger individuals receiving benefits.
• It is easier to recuperate from a serious medical condition when you are younger.
• Social Security's medical-vocational rules (commonly known as the "grid rules") make it much easier to receive benefits when you are over 50 years old.

However, these factors may work in your favor if you seek Social Security disability benefits after reaching the age of 50. At this age, you are more likely to have the work credits required to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If these types of benefits are granted, the amount that a person will receive will be based on the income they had earned throughout their career. SSDI benefits can serve as an invaluable resource for those who have experienced conditions that affect their ability to continue working as they had in the past.

Is it Easier to Get Social Security Disability After Age 50?

It is important to note that a claimant who is 50-54 years old will be presumed disabled if he or she cannot return to past relevant work and is limited to unskilled, sedentary work. If that same individual were 40 years old, he or she would most likely be denied Social Security disability benefits. Typically, SSA will make it slightly easier to win a claim when a person is older. Just as a 50 year old may have an easier time receiving benefits than a 40 year old, the same is true for a 60 year old, who would have an easier time winning a claim than a 50 year old with the same background and medical conditions.

Some common conditions experienced by people over the age of 50 that may allow them to qualify for SSDI include:

• Back pain - Older workers may experience degenerative disc disease, which can lead to a breakdown of the tissues in the spinal cord. This can lead to significant pain and loss of mobility, and it may require a person to be limited to sedentary work.
• Arthritis - Inflammation of the joints can severely restrict a person's movements and their ability to perform tasks, limiting the types of work they may be able to perform.
• Carpal tunnel - Regular use of the hands to perform actions such as typing or mechanical work can lead to damage in the nerves in the wrists, resulting in paralysis or pain in the hands. This may make it impossible for a person to perform the types of work they had done in the past.
• Congestive heart failure - Many older people experience heart disease, potentially leading to heart attacks or ongoing conditions that restrict their movements and activities. This can prevent a person from working in positions they have held previously.
• Lung disease - Working in conditions where a person breathes toxic fumes or particles can cause significant lung impairments, affecting a person's ability to breathe properly, process oxygen, and perform physical labor.

Contact Our Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney for Applicants Over 50

While SSA makes winning a claim easier for someone who is over the age of 50, it is by no means an easy road. SSA routinely denies people suffering from severe, debilitating conditions. If you are over the age of 50 and your medical condition is preventing you from working, feel free to contact our law firm today at 312-999-0999.