SSR 03-3p
SOCIAL SECURITY RULING
TITLES II AND XVI: EVALUATION OF DISABILITY AND BLINDNESS IN
INITIAL CLAIMS FOR INDIVIDUALS AGED 65 OR OLDER
PURPOSE: To clarify SSA’s standards and procedures for the adjudication of titles II and XVI
of the Social Security Act (the Act) disability and blindness claims for individuals
aged 65 or older. In particular, this Ruling explains that:
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In general, the regulations and procedures for determining disability for adults who
are under age 65 are used when determining whether an individual aged 65 or older
is disabled.
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Adjudicators are required to consider any impairment(s) the individual has, including
those that are often found in older individuals.
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If an individual aged 72 or older has a medically determinable impairment, that impairment
will be considered to be “severe”.
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If the individual’s impairment(s) prevents the performance of his or her past relevant
work (PRW), or if the individual does not have PRW, the adjudicator must consider
two special medical-vocational profiles showing an inability to make an adjustment
to other work before referring to appendix 2 to subpart P of 20 CFR Part 404.
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Generally, adjudicators should use the rules for individuals aged 60-64 when determining
whether an individual aged 65 or older can adjust to other work.
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Some individuals aged 65 or older may not understand, or be able to comply with, our
requests to submit evidence or attend a consultative examination (CE). Therefore,
adjudicators must make special efforts in situations in which it appears that an individual
aged 65 or older may not be cooperating.
CITATIONS: Section 5301 of Public Law (P.L.) 105-33, sections 402 and 431 of P.L. 104-193, as
amended, sections 216(l), 223(a)(1), 223(d), 1614(a), 1616, 1619(b) and 1621(f)(1)
of the Act, as amended; 20 CFR Part 404, subpart P, appendices 1 and 2, sections 404.1501-1599
and 20 CFR Part 416, subpart 1, sections 416.901-416.923, 416.925- 416.926, 416.927-416.986,
416.988-416.994, and 416.995-416.998.
BACKGROUND: Section 216(l) of the Act phases in a gradual increase in the full retirement age
from age 65 to age 67. These changes first affect individuals who were born in 1938;
that is, who turn age 65 in 2003. By 2027, the incremental increases will be complete,
and a full retirement age of 67 will be applicable to all individuals who were born
in 1960 or later. These provisions do not change the age at which an individual can
take early retirement at a reduced benefit amount, which remains at age 62. Under
title II, an individual can establish entitlement to benefits based on disability
or blindness until the month in which he or she attains full retirement age. Therefore,
as a result of the increases in the full retirement age, we will be processing some
disability claims under title II of the Act for individuals who are aged 65 or older.
On August 5, 1997, P.L. 105-33, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, amended P.L. 104-193,
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, as amended,
and added additional alien eligibility criteria. Under the new criteria, qualified
aliens who were lawfully residing in the United States on August 22, 1996, and who
are disabled or blind as defined in section 1614(a) of the Act are eligible for benefits
under title XVI provided all other eligibility requirements are met. Individuals can
establish eligibility based on disability or blindness at any age, even on or after
attaining age 65.
In addition to qualified aliens, determinations of disability under title XVI also
may be needed for other individuals aged 65 or older to determine:
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State supplements in some States (section 1616 of the Act);
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Whether the work incentive provisions of section 1619(b) of the Act are applicable;
or
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Appropriate deeming of income and resources (section 1621(f)(1) of the Act; 20 CFR
416.1160, 416.1161, 416.1166a, and 416.1204).
RULING:
Evaluation Issues
In general, the regulations and procedures for determining disability for adults who
are under age 65 are used when determining whether an individual aged 65 or older
is disabled, except as provided later in this Ruling.
To determine if an adult is disabled as defined in the Act, adjudicators generally
use the 5-step sequential evaluation process set out in 20 CFR 404.1520 and 416.920.
Step 1—Is the Individual Working?
If the individual is working, and the work is substantial gainful activity (see 20
CFR 404.1571-404.1576 and 416.971- 416.976), we will find that the individual is not
disabled regardless of his or her medical condition, age, education, or work experience.
Step 2—Does the Individual Have a Severe Impairment?
At step 2 of the sequential evaluation process, a determination is made about whether
an individual has a medically determinable impairment and whether the individual's
medically determinable impairment—or combination of impairments—is “severe”. An individual
who does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that is “severe” will
be found not disabled.
An impairment(s) is considered “severe” if it significantly limits an individual's
physical or mental abilities to do basic work activities. An impairment(s) that is
“not severe” must be a slight abnormality, or a combination of slight abnormalities,
that has no more than a minimal effect on the ability to do basic work activities.
It is incorrect to disregard an impairment or consider it to be “not severe” because
the impairment's effects are “normal” for a person of that age.
As in any claim, adjudicators must consider signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings
when determining whether an individual aged 65 or older has a medically determinable
impairment (see 20 CFR 404.1508 and 404.1528 and 416.908 and 416.928). The likelihood
of the occurrence of some impairments increases with advancing age; e.g., osteoporosis,
osteoarthritis, certain cancers, adult-onset diabetes mellitus, impairments of memory,
hypertension, and impairments of vision or hearing. Adjudicators are required to consider
any impairment(s) the individual has, including impairments like the ones listed above
that are often found in older individuals. It is incorrect to disregard any of an
individual's impairments because they are “normal” for the person's age.
When an individual has more than one medically determinable impairment and each impairment
by itself is “not severe”, adjudicators must still assess the impact of the combination
of those impairments on the individual's ability to function. A claim may be denied
at step 2 only if the evidence shows that the individual's impairments, when considered
in combination, are “not severe”; i.e., do not have more than a minimal effect on
the individual's physical or mental ability(ies) to perform basic work activities.
Special Rule for Individuals Applying for Title XVI Benefits Who Are Aged 72 or Older
Generally, we use step 2 of the sequential evaluation process as a “screen” to deny
individuals with impairments that would have no more than a minimal effect on their
ability to work even if we considered their age, education, and work experience. However,
with advancing age, it is increasingly unlikely that individuals with medically determinable
impairments will be found to have minimal limitations in their ability to do basic
work activities. By age 72, separate consideration of whether an individual's medically
determinable impairment(s) is “severe” does not serve the useful screening purpose
that it does for individuals who have not attained age 72. Therefore, if an individual
aged 72 or older has a medically determinable impairment(s), that impairment(s) will
be considered to be “severe”, and evaluation must proceed to the next step of the
sequential evaluation process.
Step 3—Does the Individual Have an Impairment(s) That Meets or Equals an Impairment Listed
in Appendix 1?
When an individual has a severe impairment(s) that meets or medically equals the requirements
for one of the impairments in the Listing of Impairments in appendix 1 to subpart
P of 20 CFR Part 404, and meets the duration requirement, the individual is disabled.
When Disability Cannot Be Found at Step 3—Assessing Residual Functional Capacity
When the individual does not have an impairment(s) that meets or equals the requirements
for a listed impairment, the adjudicator is required to assess the individual's residual
functional capacity (RFC). The RFC assessment is an adjudicator's finding about the
ability of an individual to perform both physical and mental work-related activities
despite his or her impairment(s). The assessment considers all of the individual's
medically determinable impairments, including those that are “not severe”, and all
limitations or restrictions caused by symptoms, such as pain, that are related to
the medically determinable impairment(s). The assessment is based upon consideration
of all relevant evidence in the case record, including medical evidence and relevant
nonmedical evidence, such as observations of lay witnesses of an individual's apparent
symptomatology, or an individual's own statement of what he or she is able or unable
to do.
When assessing RFC in an initial claim, an adjudicator should not find that an individual
has limitations or restrictions beyond those caused by his or her medically determinable
impairment(s). Limitations or restrictions due to factors such as age, height, or
whether the individual has ever engaged in certain activities in his or her PRW (e.g.,
lifting heavy weights) are, per se, not considered in assessing RFC. (See SSR 96-8p,
“Titles II and XVI: Assessing Residual Functional Capacity in Initial Claims.”)
Step 4—Does the Individual Have an Impairment(s) That Prevents Him or Her from Performing
Past Relevant Work (PRW)?
The RFC assessment discussed above is first used at step 4 of the sequential evaluation
process to determine whether the individual is capable of doing PRW. The rules and
procedures we use to make this determination for individuals under age 65 are also
applicable to individuals aged 65 or older. This includes consideration of whether
the individual can perform his or her PRW as he or she actually performed it or as
it is generally performed in the national economy. If the individual's PRW was performed
in a foreign economy, we will generally only consider whether the individual can perform
his or her PRW as he or she described it. However, if the work the individual did
in a foreign economy also exists in the United States, we will consider whether he
or she can perform the work as it is generally performed in the national economy.
If the individual can perform his or her PRW, he or she will be found not disabled.
(See SSR 82-40, “Titles II and XVI: The Vocational Relevance of the Past Work Performed
in a Foreign Country.”)
Step 5—Can the Individual Do Other Work?
The last step of the sequential evaluation process requires us to determine whether
an individual can do other work considering his or her RFC, age, education and work
experience.
Special Medical-Vocational Profiles Showing an Inability to Make an Adjustment to
Other Work.
If the individual's impairment(s) does preclude the performance of PRW, or if the
individual does not have PRW, two special medical-vocational profiles must be considered
before referring to appendix 2 to subpart P of 20 CFR Part 404. The special profiles
are discussed in SSR 82-63, “Titles II and XVI: Medical-Vocational Profiles Showing
an Inability to Make an Adjustment to Other Work.”
The “arduous unskilled physical labor” profile applies when an individual:
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Has a history of 35 years or more of arduous unskilled physical labor; [1]
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Can no longer perform this past arduous work because of a severe impairment(s); and
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Has no more than a marginal education (generally 6th grade or less).
The “no work experience” profile applies when an individual:
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Has a severe impairment(s);
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Has no past relevant work;
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Has no more than a limited education (generally, 11th grade or less).
If either of these profiles applies, a finding of “disabled” must be made. This finding
is made without considering the criteria in appendix 2 to subpart P of 20 CFR Part
404.
Applying the Criteria in Appendix 2 to Subpart P of 20 CFR Part 404.
If the special medical-vocational profiles are not applicable, we use the rules in
appendix 2 to subpart P of 20 CFR Part 404 to determine whether the individual has
the ability to do other work. The highest age category used in appendix 2 is age 60-64,
“closely approaching retirement age." However, we have longstanding internal procedures
that direct our adjudicators to use the rules for ages 60-64 when making determinations
for individuals aged 65 or older at step 5.
Under those rules, individuals aged 65 or older who are limited to “sedentary” or
“light” work will be found disabled unless their PRW provided them with transferable
skills or they are at least a high school graduate and their education provides for
direct entry into skilled work. As set out in sections 201.00(f) and 202.00(f) of
appendix 2, to find transferability of skills for individuals aged 65 or older who
are limited to “sedentary” or “light” work, there must be very little, if any, vocational
adjustment required in terms of tools, work processes, work settings, or the industry.
Individuals aged 65 or older who can perform the full range of “medium” work are found
disabled when they have no more than a limited education (including individuals who
are illiterate in English or unable to communicate in English) and no PRW. Individuals
aged 65 or older who can perform a full range of “medium” work are also found disabled
when they have no more than a marginal education (including individuals who are illiterate
in English or unable to communicate in English) and no PRW or their PRW is unskilled
or their skilled or semi-skilled PRW provides no transferable skills.
Duration
As indicated earlier, the likelihood of the occurrence of some impairments, such as
osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, certain cancers, adult-onset diabetes mellitus, impairments
of memory, hypertension, and impairments of vision or hearing, increases with advancing
age. Moreover, such impairments are more likely to be chronic than acute. Therefore,
adjudicators must be especially careful before concluding that an impairment in an
individual aged 65 or older will not meet the 12-month duration requirement.
Development Issues
Developing Allegations of Impairment(s).
When obtaining the medical history of an individual aged 65 or older, it is important
to be alert to and address allegations of impairments that are commonly associated
with the aging process, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, loss of vision, hearing loss,
and memory loss. Allegations may be raised in response to specific questions about
the individual s impairment(s); e.g., on Form SSA- 3368-BK. However, adjudicators
must also be alert to allegations raised in other evidence in the file. For example,
questionnaires about activities of daily living may contain statements like “I have
difficulty walking or climbing stairs because my legs hurt”, “I can't clean my apartment
because my back hurts”, or “I don't read much anymore because I don t see well”. These
statements constitute allegations of impairment(s). Therefore, adjudicators must:
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Review the case file thoroughly to identify all allegations or other indications of
impairment.
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Be aware that the medical evidence or third party statements can raise additional
allegations.
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When contacting an individual aged 65 or older, be alert to statements indicating
the presence of an impairment(s) commonly associated with the aging process.
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Consider all signs or symptoms indicative of an impairment(s), including those impairments
caused by degenerative changes associated with the aging process.
Purchasing Medical Evidence
Our regulations, at 20 CFR 404.1512(f), 404.1517, 416.912(f) and 416.917, indicate
that we will purchase CEs when the individual’s medical sources cannot or will not
give us sufficient medical evidence about the individual s impairment for us to determine
if he or she is disabled. Sections 404.1519f and 416.919f further provide that we
will purchase only the specific examinations and tests that we need to make a determination
or decision. Due to the wide range of allegations contained in cases of individuals
aged 65 or older, evidence addressing more than one body system may need to be purchased.
In these situations, it is usually appropriate to purchase general medical examinations
rather than examinations targeted at particular body systems. This will ensure that
all allegations of impairment are evaluated, and will reduce the burden on the individual.
For example, if the individual alleges back and knee pain, shortness of breath on
exertion, and numbness and weakness in his or her arm, a general medical examination
would usually be preferable to separate orthopedic, neurologic, respiratory, or cardiac
examinations.
Failure to Cooperate
Individuals filing for benefits based on disability or blindness have certain responsibilities
for furnishing us with, or helping us obtain, needed evidence. Our regulations at
20 CFR 404.1512(c), 404.1516, 404.1518, 416.912(c), 416.916, and 416.918 describe
these responsibilities. However, due to factors such as possible language barriers
or limited education, some individuals aged 65 or older may not understand, or be
able to comply with, our requests to submit evidence or attend a CE.
If it appears that an individual aged 65 or older is not cooperating, adjudicators
must take the following additional actions when the individual does not have an appointed
representative, or when the appointed representative has asked us to deal directly
with the individual.
If an individual aged 65 or older has not supplied evidence or taken an action we
requested and still need, the adjudicator must:
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Contact the individual to determine why he or she has not complied with our request.
If it appears that the individual needs personal assistance, including interpreter
assistance, to complete forms, request field office assistance.
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Contact a third party (i.e., someone other than the individual's representative) if
one has been identified, about assisting the individual at the same time the adjudicator
contacts the individual.
If an individual aged 65 or older did not attend a CE, the adjudicator must:
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Contact the individual to determine why he or she did not attend the CE.
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Make at least two attempts at different times on different days to contact the individual
by telephone. (A busy signal does not constitute an attempt.)
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Send the claimant a call-in letter if telephone contact is not possible or successful.
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Contact a third party, if one has been identified, about assisting the claimant at
the same time contact is attempted with the claimant.
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When contact is made with the individual or the third party, explain that the CE is
for evaluation purposes only, and that no treatment will be required.
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Reschedule the CE if the individual had a good reason for not attending the prior
CE (e.g., he or she had transportation problems or was out of the country at the time
of the CE) and indicates a willingness to attend a rescheduled CE.
Non-English-Speaking or Limited-English- Proficiency
Individuals.
For all the development issues discussed above, adjudicators must remember that we
are responsible for obtaining the services of a qualified interpreter if the individual
requests or needs one. This includes providing an interpreter at a CE if the CE provider
is not sufficiently fluent in the individual s language.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This Ruling is effective on the date of its publication in the Federal Register (November 10,
2003).
CROSS-REFERENCES:SSR 82-40, “Titles II and XVI: The Vocational Relevance of the Past Work Performed
in a Foreign Country”; SSR 82-61, “Titles II and XVI: Past Relevant Work—The Particular
Job or the Occupation as Generally Performed”; SSR 82-62, “Titles II and XVI: A Disability
Claimant s Capacity To Do Past Relevant Work, In General” ; SSR 82-63, “Titles II
and XVI: Medical-Vocational Profiles Showing an Inability To Make an Adjustment to
Other Work”; SSR 85-28, “Titles II and XVI: Medical Impairments That Are Not Severe”;
SSR 96-3p, “Titles II and XVI: Considering Allegations of Pain and Other Symptoms
in Determining Whether a Medically Determinable Impairment Is Severe”; SSR 96-4p,
“Titles II and XVI: Symptoms, Medically Determinable Physical and Mental Impairments,
and Exertional and Nonexertional Limitations”; SSR 96-8p, “Titles II and XVI: Assessing Residual Functional Capacity in Initial Claims”;
SSR 96-9p, “Titles II and XVI: Determining Capability to do Other Work – Implications
of Residual Functional Capacity for Less Than a Full Range of Sedentary Work”; and
Program Operations Manual System, sections DI 22510.019, DI 23515.010, DI 25010.001, SI 00502.142, and GN 00203.001.