Does Your Age Affect Your SSDI Claim?

If you're applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), one of the key factors that could affect your eligibility is your age. Many people in Pittsburgh and beyond are surprised to learn that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses age-based categories to determine how difficult it would be for someone to adjust to other work.

 

At Panza Legal Services, we specialize in helping clients understand these age-related rules and how they impact your SSDI claim. Below, we break down how age affects the approval process — and what it means for your case.

Why Age Matters in SSDI Applications

The SSA doesn’t just look at your medical condition. It also considers:

• Your residual functional capacity (RFC) — what kind of work you can still do

• Your education level

• Your past work experience

• And most importantly in this case, your age

This is based on the idea that the older you are, the harder it may be for you to transition into a new job or learn new skills — especially if you’ve spent years in physically demanding work.

SSDI Age Categories Explained

 

Here’s how the SSA typically evaluates age in disability claims:

 

🔹 Under Age 50: “You Must Be Unable to Do Any Work”

Applicants under 50 face the strictest criteria. You must show that you can’t perform any job in the national economy, not just the job you’ve held in the past.

 

 

🔹 Age 50–54: “Closely Approaching Advanced Age”

Once you turn 50, the rules become slightly more lenient. The SSA may factor in that retraining or learning a new trade becomes more difficult. If your past work was physical or unskilled, you may have a better chance of approval.

 

Example: A warehouse worker with chronic back pain and limited education may now be considered disabled even if they could theoretically do a desk job — because a transition like that may be deemed unreasonable at this age.

🔹 Age 55 and Older: “Advanced Age”

At 55, it becomes significantly easier to qualify, especially if your prior work involved manual labor or you have limited transferable skills. SSA acknowledges that career changes at this stage of life are difficult.

If you can no longer perform your previous job and there’s no similar, less demanding work available based on your skills and education, you may be approved — even if you’re capable of some work.

How Panza Legal Services Helps You Build a Strong SSDI Case

 

At Panza Legal Services, we understand how age, your medical evidence, and vocational background all come together in an SSDI claim. We take the time to:

• Analyze where you fall in the SSA's age categories

• Evaluate your work history and RFC

• Gather the strongest possible medical documentation

• Represent you in hearings and appeals if your claim is denied

Our Pittsburgh-based firm has helped countless clients over 50 — and under — win the SSDI benefits they deserve.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Your Age Work Against You

If you're asking, “Does my age affect my SSDI claim?” — the answer is yes. But with the right legal guidance, your age can actually work in your favor.

 

📍 Serving the greater Pittsburgh area, Panza Legal Services is here to help you navigate the SSDI process with clarity, compassion, and a focus on results.

 

💬 Ready to Talk?

Let’s evaluate your case and determine how your age, medical condition, and job history align with SSDI criteria.

 

📞 Call now for a free consultation
🌐 www.panzalegal.com
📍 Based in Pittsburgh, proudly serving Western Pennsylvania