When it comes to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), many people wonder if there’s a sweet spot of time wherein applying becomes more favorable or likely to be approved.
There is no magic age, but age plays a significant role in how disability claims are evaluated. Understanding how age factors into the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) decision-making process can help individuals better anticipate the path of their SSDI journey.
How age influences SSDI decisions
The SSA divides applicants into several age categories, including:
- Younger individuals (under 50)
- Closely approaching advanced age (50 to 54)
- Advanced age (55 to 59)
- Closely approaching retirement age (60+)
The older an applicant is, the more likely the SSA is to determine that they cannot adjust to a new type of work, especially if their education and job skills are limited. For instance:
- At age 50, the rules begin to ease. If an applicant is limited to sedentary work and doesn’t have transferable skills, they may be found disabled.
- At age 55, it’s even more favorable if an applicant is limited to light work.
- By age 60, the rules have become more lenient, especially for applicants with low education and limited transferable job skills.
While the rules clearly become more favorable at age 50 and again at 55, this doesn’t mean younger applicants can’t qualify. Many people under 50 are approved for SSDI every year, especially if they have severe, well-documented medical conditions. The difference is that younger applicants must prove they cannot perform any work in the national economy.
There’s no universal magic age to apply for SSDI, but age does matter — especially after 50. However, age alone won’t qualify an applicant for benefits and applicants should consider enlisting legal help to increase their odds of success accordingly.