At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our Social Security Disability lawyers help older workers in Ohio and Michigan who are facing claim problems. Whether you have received a denial letter, are stuck in the appeal process, or believe your case was decided unfairly, our experienced legal team can guide you through the next steps. For more than 70 years, we have fought for injured and disabled individuals across Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and Northeast Indiana—helping clients over 50 secure the benefits they earned.
Why Age 50 Matters in Disability Claims
The SSA recognizes that as people age, it becomes more difficult to retrain for new work or adapt to physically demanding jobs. That recognition is reflected in special evaluation standards called the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, better known as the grid rules.
Once you turn 50, these rules can work in your favor—if they are correctly applied. Many denials occur because decision-makers overlook or misinterpret how the grid rules should apply to older applicants.
When our Social Security attorneys review a denied claim, we examine:
Whether your case was properly classified within the correct age bracket (50–54, 55–59, 60 and older).
How your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)—your remaining ability to perform tasks—was rated.
Whether the SSA correctly evaluated your education, transferable skills, and work history.
If the decision ignored the reduced adaptability that comes with age, or if vocational evidence was incomplete, our team can challenge the finding through a detailed appeal.
Common Reasons Older Workers Are Denied Benefits
Even though the SSA’s standards become more favorable after age 50, claim denials still happen because of avoidable mistakes. Our Social Security Disability lawyers in Ohio and Michigan often see problems such as:
Incomplete medical documentation. Claims fail when the SSA doesn’t receive detailed treatment records or physician statements that explain work restrictions.
Inaccurate RFC assessments. Examiners sometimes overlook or downplay pain, fatigue, and mobility limitations.
Improper job classification. The SSA may label past work as “light” or “sedentary” when it actually demanded greater physical effort.
Misapplied grid rules. Some decision-makers evaluate a 55-year-old claimant under the stricter standards meant for younger workers.
Missed deadlines or procedural errors. Late submissions or incomplete forms can stall or end a valid claim.
Our legal team steps in to fix these issues quickly. We gather missing records, obtain detailed medical opinions, and present clear vocational evidence so the SSA fully understands how your Disability After Age 50 affects your ability to work.
How the Grid Rules Affect Older Applicants
The SSA grid rules evaluate whether someone can transition to new work given their age, education, and physical capacity. The older you are, the less expectation there is that you can adjust to new employment.
For example, a 54-year-old factory worker who can now perform only sedentary tasks may be considered disabled under the grid rules, while a 35-year-old in the same situation may be expected to retrain. Understanding these distinctions is critical. Our Social Security Disability attorneys analyze every denial decision to identify where the grid rules should have led to approval and use that insight to strengthen your appeal.
Medical Evidence and Functional Limitations
Our legal team works closely with treating physicians and specialists to:
Obtain detailed statements describing daily restrictions—how long you can sit, stand, lift, concentrate, or interact with others.
Gather imaging results, lab tests, and treatment notes that show progression over time.
Clarify the connection between your condition and your inability to perform past work.
If your medical record lacks these critical details, the SSA may deny your claim for “insufficient evidence.” Our Social Security lawyers ensure your appeal file is complete, accurate, and persuasive.
Appealing a Denied Disability Claim After 50
If your claim for Disability After Age 50 has been denied, you are not alone. Nationally, more than half of first-time Social Security Disability (SSDI) applications are rejected. However, many of those denials are later reversed through the appeal process—especially when experienced legal representation gets involved.
Our Social Security Disability lawyers in Ohio and Michigan handle every stage of appeal, including:
Reconsideration.
We review the initial denial, identify missing evidence, and submit additional documentation or medical opinions that address the SSA’s specific reasons for denial.
Administrative Law Judge Hearing.
If your case moves to a hearing, our Social Security attorneys prepare you thoroughly. We present testimony, cross-examine vocational experts, and argue how the grid rules and medical evidence support your claim for Disability After Age 50.
Appeals Council and Federal Court Review.
When necessary, our legal team continues the fight through higher levels of appeal, challenging procedural errors or misinterpretations of SSA regulations.
Throughout the process, one experienced legal team stays with you—never handing your case off to call centers or unfamiliar representatives. You will always know who is managing your claim and what stage it’s in.
Understanding Work Credits and Continuing Eligibility
How Age Affects Work Credit Requirements
The number of credits you need depends on your age when you became disabled. Younger workers typically need more recent and continuous employment to qualify. Applicants over 50 often need fewer total credits because the SSA recognizes that maintaining consistent employment becomes harder later in life—especially after an injury, illness, or long-term medical condition.
Even with these more flexible standards, problems can arise if wage records are missing, your work history is incomplete, or the SSA miscalculates your insured status. That’s where experienced legal help makes a difference.
Our Social Security Disability attorneys in Ohio and Michigan review your full earnings record to confirm you have enough covered employment for SSDI eligibility. If we find reporting errors, missing data, or other technical issues, our team works to correct them through the proper SSA channels so your appeal isn’t delayed or denied for administrative reasons.
If you don’t have enough credits to qualify for SSDI, you may still be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—a separate program that provides disability benefits based on financial need rather than work history. Our Social Security lawyers evaluate both options to help you understand your best path forward and avoid unnecessary denials caused by technical misunderstandings.
When to Call a Social Security Disability Lawyer
You should contact our Social Security Disability lawyers if:
You’ve received a denial letter from the SSA.
Your claim has been pending for months with no decision.
The SSA says you can do other work that you know you cannot perform.
Your hearing is scheduled, and you need representation before a judge.
You are over 50 and unsure how the grid rules apply to your situation.
The earlier our team becomes involved after a denial, the better we can build the record and protect your right to appeal.
How Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Helps
Our firm represents clients who are already in the Social Security Disability process and need skilled legal advocacy to fix a dispute, appeal a denial, or challenge an unfair decision. We take action when the process becomes overwhelming or when the SSA overlooks the true extent of a client’s disability.
Our Social Security Disability attorneys dig into every case file, pinpoint the gaps or errors in the SSA’s reasoning, and build persuasive arguments backed by solid medical evidence, vocational analysis, and expert testimony when needed.
Across Ohio and Michigan, clients turn to our Social Security lawyers because we pair decades of experience with hands-on, local advocacy. For more than 70 years, our legal team has helped individuals in Toledo, Defiance, Fremont, Findlay, Lima, Mansfield, Sandusky, Maumee, and Monroe, Michigan restore financial stability through successful appeals and hearings.
Why Clients Trust Our Disability Lawyers
Experience and longevity. Over 70 years advocating for injured and disabled workers across the region.
Regional presence. Deep roots in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, with attorneys familiar with local SSA offices and Administrative Law Judges.
Reputation for results. Thousands of clients have received the SSDI and SSI benefits they were wrongly denied.
Client-centered process. Our legal team takes the time to understand your story, answer questions, and make a complicated system easier to navigate.
Get Help With Your Social Security Disability Claim After 50
If you are over 50 and your Social Security Disability claim has been delayed or denied, you still have options—but you must act quickly to preserve your appeal rights. Let our Social Security Disability lawyers in Ohio and Michigan review your file, explain the SSA grid rules, and develop a strategy tailored to your situation.
The process of pursuing Disability After Age 50 can be frustrating, especially when your claim is unfairly denied. You don’t have to face it alone. Our Social Security attorneys will guide you through hearings, evidence collection, and every level of appeal until you receive the fair decision—and the benefits—you’ve earned.
Call 419-843-6663 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Serving clients throughout Ohio and Michigan, the legal team at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault stands ready to protect your rights and fight for the disability benefits you’ve earned after a lifetime of work.
