The fourth and fifth steps of the sequential evaluation process have to do with the work you have done in the past and are still able to do. Your Oklahoma City Social Security disability attorney can help you with any questions you may have about how work will affect your claim.
Past Relevant Work
The fourth step of the sequential evaluation process examines the positions you have held in the past. Your Oklahoma City Social Security disability attorney will explain that past relevant work refers to any work you have done in the past 15 years or the 15 years prior to becoming disabled. The work will be evaluated as it would ordinarily be carried out, and you will not be found disabled if you could still work at this level. If the work you had done in the past is, in fact, easier than what is ordinarily done, your work ability will be judged on your actual exertion level. Your Oklahoma City Social Security disability lawyer will explain that the SSA assesses your ability to do past relevant work by looking at your residual functional capacity along with the physical and mental requirements of that work.
Listing of Impairments
Your Oklahoma City Social Security disability lawyer will let you know how your impairment may qualify as an exception to the rule of the past relevant work step. Even if you are still able to work at your past level, if your impairment meets or equals an impairment from the Listing of Impairments, the SSA will find you disabled.
Other Work
In the fifth step, the SSA asks whether you can do any other work that exists nationwide. Your Oklahoma City Social Security disability attorney will explain how the SSA evaluates this ability based on your work ability, age, education, and past work. The SSA uses the Medical-Vocational Guidelines to determine whether you satisfy this step. Your Oklahoma City Social Security lawyer attorney will give you more details as to how these guidelines are used, but it is important to note that applicants are more easily found disabled.
Contact an Oklahoma City Social Security Disability Attorney
Filing for disability is not easy, but an Oklahoma City Social Security disability attorney can help. Call us today.
