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How does the national economy factor in with SSD benefits?

On Behalf of | Jul 6, 2019 | Social Security Disability

There are basic requirements for those who are seeking Social Security disability benefits. Georgia residents who claim their issues result in an inability to work must meet the criteria for Residual Functional Capacity and not being able to perform Substantial Gainful Activity. A key aspect of whether a person can work goes beyond their physical capabilities. The national economy and work that exists in it is an important part of a claim for SSD benefits and the assessment.

Understanding these seemingly minor considerations is important. Those who are applying for benefits should have legal assistance to make the process easier and limit the issues they must be concerned with. In general, the Social Security Administration will assess the type of work available in the national economy in the region where the applicant resides or in other regions. It is irrelevant if the work is available where the person lives, if there is a specific job opening for that person, or if they would be hired for the job.

If there is a significant number of jobs available in one or more occupations and the person can meet the vocational needs, mental or physical capacity, this will be important to the claim. The application will not be denied if there are limited jobs in few locations outside of where the person lives. If there is no work that the person can do, then he or she can be deemed disabled and get SSD benefits. If there is work that the person can do despite the medical issues, he or she will be denied disability.

The person will not be considered disabled if it is possible to work, but the unemployment continues because of the inability to secure work; an absence of work in the area; issues with the employer’s hiring practices; changes to the industry in which the person worked before; economic changes; a lack of available jobs; that the person would not get the job even if he or she can do it; or the person does not want to do that kind of work.

Simply being unable to do certain jobs does not mean that the person will automatically meet the requirements to receive SSD benefits. The federal regulations require the SSA to take a deeper look at the economy and how that impacts the person’s ability to work. For help with the application and dealing with a denial because of the national economy or for any other reason, contacting a law firm with expertise in Social Security disability is an important step.

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