Classifying Your Levels of Disability and Exertion

When applying for Social Security disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will want to know exactly how able-bodied you are and what levels of physical exertion you can handle. You and your Ocala disability lawyer will need to closely identify where your physical abilities fall on the spectrum of physical exertion levels for those afflicted with physical impairments.

Social Security Administration classification

Although you can use the same physical exertion levels laid out in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) for the purposes of SSA classification, those levels published in the DOT tend to change often. The details of classifications are frequently revised, and it would be best for your and your  Ocala disability lawyer to revisit the most recent revisions to ensure that you enter your disability hearing with the most up-to-date information you can obtain.

Exertion at work

When examining jobs for specifics related to physical exertion, the DOT relies on many variables. Much of the focus is on whether a job qualifies as a Light Work or not, which may depend on several factors, including criteria set forth in the 1991 revision of the DOT.

• A job considered sedentary is one that involves mostly sitting, with a bit of walking or standing if necessary.

If more walking and standing of a “significant” degree is involved, the job might be deemed “light.”

• If the job is mostly sedentary but involves significant pushing and pulling with use of arm or leg controls, the job may also be considered a “light” job.

If the job is mostly sedentary but involves working at a “production rate pace,” which means it involves constant pushing and pulling of materials, the job may be considered a “light” job.

• More strenuous jobs are deemed “medium,” “heavy,” and “very heavy”; your attorney can go over the classification of your job with you to determine the kind of benefits you may receive.

Speak with a Ocala disability lawyer from the CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC today at (352) 304-5300 to learn more about how your physical levels of exertion will factor into your Social Security disability case.