by on 
If you are disabled but your impairment does not meet or equal an SSA listing in what is referred to as the Blue Book, you may be left feeling frustrated and unsure of how to proceed. The Medical Vocational Guidelines, or GRID rules, provide a golden opportunity to be approved for SSD benefits based on your prior experience and work history.
At Schaffer & Associates LPA, we are passionate about fighting for the rights of disabled individuals. We will review your case, provide top-notch legal representation, and guide you through the process of securing the benefits you need and deserve. To learn more, consider connecting with our team by contacting our Toledo office at (419) 350-8277 or our Findlay office at (419) 359-8091 today.
What Are the GRID Rules?
To qualify for SSD benefits, you must prove that you suffer from a physical or mental impairment—or combination of both—that prevents you from working for a year or more. To determine eligibility for benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) typically uses a five-step evaluation process, accounting for the severity of your disability and your ability to adjust to new forms of work.
If you are 50 years old or older, it can be easier for you to get approved for benefits. This is because the SSA understands that it is more difficult for an older individual to make a “vocational adjustment,” or, the ability to learn a new job or transition into a new workplace. To account for this difficulty, the GRID rules were created as a special set of criteria used to evaluate whether your condition prevents you from working and earning a living.
Are the GRID Rules and Medical Vocational Guidelines the Same Thing?
Yes, the GRID rules and Medical Vocational Guidelines are the same. The official term for the Grid Rules is the Social Security Medical Vocational Guidelines, which is the term that the SSA uses when referencing these rules. The term “GRID rules” is widely used because the explanation of the rule, found in the Code of Federal Regulations, is expressed using a series of rows and columns aka a grid.
What Questions Do the GRID Rules Ask?
The GRID rules take into account a range of factors. Specifically, the SSA will consider four factors to determine your eligibility:
- Your age grouping
- The highest level of education you have completed
- Your past work experience
- Your residual functional capacity
Question #1: What Is Your Age?
Age is one of the main factors included in the GRID rules. Younger individuals (18 through 49) generally have a higher likelihood of successfully adjusting to a new form of employment. Individuals who are closely approaching advanced age (50 through 54), who are considered advanced age (55 through 59), and who are closely approaching retirement age (60 and older), are thought to be less likely to adjust to new types of work. As long as you are 50 years old or older and unable to work, you may qualify for benefits under the GRID rules.
Question #2: What Is Your Education Level?
The SSA assumes that there is a connection between education level and the ability to possess transferable skills. Generally, the higher a person’s education level, the more likely they are to have skilled work experience. Based on your history, you will be placed into one of four education categories:
- Illiterate: Unable to read or write.
- Marginal education: Basic ability to read, write, and reason, with education up to grade six.
- Limited education: Higher ability to read, write, and reason, with education up to grade eleven.
- High school education and above: Completed education up to at least grade twelve or has earned a GED.
Question #3: What Is Your Past Work History?
When reviewing your work experience, the SSA will look at all of the full-time work that you have done over the past five years. The work must have lasted long enough for you to learn how to perform all key job activities, and must have been completed at the Substantial Gainful Activity level.
For purposes of the Medical Vocational Guidelines, the SSA will categorize all jobs as unskilled, semi-skilled, or skilled. Generally, those with a history of only unskilled work are more likely to be approved for benefits. If your work was skilled or semi-skilled, the SSA will consider all of your transferable skills to see where they may apply. Some skills are so specialized that they cannot be applied to other forms of work.
Question #4: What Is Your Residual Functional Capacity?
In C.F.R. § 416.945, residual functional capacity is defined as a person’s remaining ability to complete work and perform normal job activities on a regular basis, despite physical and/or mental impairments. The SSA will review objective medical evidence provided by your doctor in order to assess your ability to perform job-related activities such as walking, standing, lifting, and carrying. Based on your residual functional capacity, you will be placed into one of five categories:
- Sedentary work
- Light work
- Medium work
- Heavy work
- Very heavy work
Generally, it is more difficult to get approved for benefits if you are able to complete heavy work or very heavy work. In these situations, the SSA may assume that you can work at any exertion level and therefore determine that your physical or mental impairments do not prevent you from performing basic job activities.
How Do the GRID Rules Change as You Age?
The GRID rules acknowledge that it is often more difficult for older workers to compete in the job market. The GRID rules are applied more favorably to claimants aged 50 and older, reflecting the fact that younger individuals may be better able to adjust to new work.
After the age of 50, physical and/or mental impairment will likely make it much more difficult to adapt to other forms of work. At age 55, it is likely to be even more difficult to adapt to other forms of work. This trend continues as you age. Not only are the GRID rules more forgiving for older individuals, but special Medical Vocational Guidelines have been put into place to account for individuals who are limited to light and sedentary work as a result of their ailments.
How Can the GRID Rules Apply to Your Fight for SSD?
If you are over the age of 50 and unable to work due to a physical and/or mental impairment, leveraging the GRID rules may help you obtain approval for your benefits claim. At Schaffer & Associates LPA, we believe that it is always worthwhile to consider the GRID rules and whether they apply to your fight for SSDI. Whenever possible, we will strategize your case to utilize the GRID rules and the distinct benefits provided by these guidelines. Ultimately, properly and successfully applying the GRID rules in your claim may make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
Speak With an Experienced Schaffer & Associates LPA Attorney Today
The Medical Vocational Guidelines, or GRID rules, are complicated. However, with the right strategy and documentation in place, it is possible to improve your chances of securing the benefits you need and deserve. At Schaffer & Associates LPA, we advocate for the rights of disabled individuals and their families. Our team is professional, compassionate, and dedicated to protecting your rights throughout the entire process. To discuss your next steps with a knowledgeable attorney, consider scheduling your free initial consultation with our Toledo office at (419) 350-8277 or our Findlay office at (419) 359-8091 today.
