Social Security examines many things. Among them is whether a disability claimant’s condition would interfere with being able to do
the sort of work the person has done for pay over the previous 15 years. If it is decided that the person can still do the work he or she was doing, that is grounds to deny the disability claim.
Whether or not the claimant could adjust to doing other types of work is also looked at. The
evaluation looks at, among other things, the person’s age. A person’s age is also a key determining factor. The evaluation gives more weight to age for
claimants older than 50, and has a separate set of rules for people who are over 60. Depending on how old a claimant is can have major effects on the outcome of the decision.
Age isn’t the only factor in deciding whether someone could do different work. The severity of the
impairment, education background and extent of previous work experience are also considered.
However, generally speaking, if a person under 50 has similar impairments, education and experience as
someone over age 50, the older person is more likely to be declared disabled and eligible to receive
benefits.
Supplemental Security Income disability is available to anyone regardless of age or work
history. However, applicants age 50 and over are more likely to be approved because the Social Security
Administration considers older applicants to be less able to adapt to doing similar work.