It takes quite a bit of convincing before the Social Security Administration (SSA) will agree that someone is disabled and unable to earn a living. For most disability applicants, the biggest hurdle is getting past the question about whether or not they’re capable of doing any other kind of work — especially sedentary jobs.
Sedentary jobs are considered the least physically taxing types of work activity. Someone who applies for Social Security Disability due to a back injury, for example, may clearly be unable to return to work as a bricklayer — but SSA may insist that they could work a desk job at a phone bank with no real problem.
How does SSA define sedentary work?
Under their rules, SSA says work is sedentary if:
- You do not have to lift more than 10 pounds at any given point
- You only occasionally have to carry light objects, like files, staplers and other office equipment or light items.
- Walking and standing are only occasionally required
It can be very challenging to prove to Social Security that you’re unable to work with these limitations.
What sort of evidence can help your case?
The more specifically you can describe your limitations and show your restrictions, the better. To prove that you’re unable to perform sedentary work, you might show that:
- You can’t remain in a seated or standing position for more than few hours because of you pain or injury.
- You have to have your legs elevated because of poor circulation.
- You cannot handle standing up and bending, even to file, because of your injury.
If you’re having a hard time overcoming the sedentary work requirement for Social Security Disability, find out what can help your claim.