Practice Areas

• Workers' Compensation
• Personal Injury
• Social Security Disability
• Employment Law

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Social Security Disability

• Healthcare Clinics in NC with free service
• Free Clinics in Forsyth County
• Form SSA 3381
• Form SSA 827
• Form SSA 561

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I've been told that I can only do sedentary work because of my disability. What does that mean? Will I not get SSD benefits?

A: The SSA defines five levels of physical exertion that fulfill individual job requirements.  They are:

Sedentary Work - can lift no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lift or carry items and small tools.  It mostly involves sitting and a minimum amount of walking and standing, no more than two hours of an eight hour workday.

Light Work - can lift no more than 20 pounds at one time and often carry or lift 10 pounds of weight.  This job area requires a good deal of walking and standing and this person can also do sedentary work.

Medium Work - can lift no more than 50 pounds at a time and frequently carry or lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.  This person can also handle light and sedentary work.

Heavy Work -  can lift no more than 100 pounds at a time and be able to frequently lift or carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.  This person can also do medium, light and sedentary work.

Very Heavy Work -  can lift more than 100 pounds at a time and often carry or lift 50 pound objects.  This person is also capable of doing heavy, medium, light and sedentary work.

The physical capability definitions build the framework regarding what a person with a disability can do.  Other job restrictions are also determined by the Vocational Expert with the input of medical records, your medical history, rehabilitation notes and other information.