Over 50 And Applying For SSDI? Get The Help You Need Here.
Last updated on May 19, 2025
As you reach the age of 50 and 55, applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can become a more straightforward process. The rules shift, making it somewhat easier to prove that your disability prevents you from working. However, working with a lawyer is still crucial for a smooth and seamless process.
My name is Robert D. Paulbeck, and I am a disability attorney with over 30 years of experience. I can help you apply for SSDI over age 50 and avoid or overcome denials and other challenges that may arise. I provide personal attention and honest advice. My focus is on understanding your unique situation and providing clear guidance throughout the SSDI application process. Based in Trenton, I work with clients throughout the Downriver Area, Trenton, Woodhaven and across all of Southeast Michigan.
Understanding SSDI Rules For Those Over 50
Once you turn 50, a key rule for securing SSDI changes. People under 50 must demonstrate that their disability prevents them from doing any work in the national economy. For those over 50, the requirement is to prove that you can’t do the type of work you’ve done before or adjust to other, less demanding work. This makes the 50-year age mark significant. If you have a qualifying disability, you cannot perform your past work and your skills are not transferable to less demanding work, your claim is likely to be successful.
If you are over 55 and your previous job involved medium or heavy labor, you may qualify for disability benefits even with a residual functional capacity (RFC) of “light” or “sedentary” work. This is especially true if you have no transferable skills to a light or sedentary job and limited education.
Similarly, if you are disabled from your past “light work” and lack transferable skills to perform sedentary work, along with not having an education that enables you to perform skilled work, you will likely be considered disabled.
Your Path To SSDI Benefits
As you can see, applying for SSDI benefits after 50 involves understanding specific vocational factors and rules. As a lawyer with extensive experience in this area of law, I can help you navigate these complexities. I will work tirelessly to help you secure the benefits you deserve. Contact my office Robert D. Paulbeck, Attorney at Law, today at 734-800-2699 to discuss your situation and start your journey towards securing SSDI benefits.