WHAT ARE GRID RULES?


Grid Rules is a term referring to the Medical-Vocational Rules found in CFR 20 404, Subpart P, Appendix II.  They guide a finding of either "disabled" or "not disabled" based on the claimant's exertional capacity* and vocational factors such as age, education and transferable skills.

The "Grids" divide age into categories as follows:

  • Advanced age (55 and over)
  • Closely Approaching Advanced Age (50-54)
  • Younger Individual (45 - 49)
  • Younger Individual (18-44)
As a Social Security disability case is being prepared, it is very important to refer to the Grid Rules. The judge who decides your case will likely use them as a guide if your medical condition does not meet a specific listing or your exertional capacity is sedentary or greater.

Grid Rules do not apply to impairments caused by strictly mental disorders.

*Exertional capacities are the classifications of work based on such factors as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, etc.  The classifications of work used by Social Security are:  sedentary, light, medium, heavy and very heavy.  If an individual is not capable of performing even sedentary work because of a medically determinable impairment, he or she is disabled.  Grid Rules usually apply when a claimant is found capable of performing at least sedentary level work (mostly sitting jobs).

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THE FORSYTHE FIRM
Social Security Representation
1-855-854-CASH (2274)


Established in 1979, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives is an association of over 4,000 attorneys and other advocates who represent Social Security and Supplemental Security Income claimants. Our members are committed to providing high quality representation for claimants, to maintaining a system of full and fair adjudication for every claimant, and to advocating for beneficial change in the disability determination and adjudication process. To learn more about NOSSCR, go to www.nosscr.org


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