One of the first issues that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will decide is whether your impairment (based on your medical records and your application) is one that meets the requirements on SSA’s listing of impairments. SSA lists a group of illnesses and disabling conditions, along with details about their severity – if you meet all the technical requirements of that particular disability or ailment, then you “meet the listing,” and are disabled as far as SSA is concerned.
If you meet a listing, it doesn’t matter how old you are – you are disabled according to SSA. However, the listings are very detailed, very technical, and most people don’t have an illness or disability that fits neatly into those particular boxes. So, meeting a listing is challenging. It is helpful to engage an attorney to help you evaluate whether your condition meets a listing before you file your application, so your attorney and medical professionals can advocate that you meet those technical requirements.
Some conditions are on what’s called the “Compassionate Allowances List.” Those conditions are so severe that SSA will award disability immediately, no matter how old you are – it’s important to speak with your Qualify LLC Disability Lawyer to determine whether or not any of your conditions are on the Compassionate Allowance List.
If you don’t technically “meet a listing,” then SSA will look to the grids to determine if you are disabled. Even without technically meeting, or having multiple impairments that are the equivalent of a listing – you can still be approved for SSDI Disability if your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is such that you cannot perform work.