It means the highest level of work you can consistently manage despite your physical or mental limitations. Think of it as the most demanding work you can realistically handle throughout a typical workday and workweek. What is Maximum Sustained Work Capability? This term is used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine if you qualify for disability benefits. It means the highest level of work you can consistently manage despite your physical or mental limitations. Think of it as the most demanding work you can realistically handle throughout a typical workday and workweek. How does the SSA measure this? Residual Functional Capacity (RFC): They examine your medical records and doctor's opinions to create an RFC outlining what you can still do (how much you can lift, stand, walk, concentrate, etc.). Comparing to Job Demands: Your RFC is compared to the requirements of Link to SSA Guidelines Link to SSA Guidelines Why is this important for disability benefits? If the SSA finds your impairments prevent you from doing even the easiest types of jobs consistently, you're more likely to be considered disabled and eligible for benefits. If you have milder limitations, the SSA also looks at your age, education, and skills to see if you can adapt to different work. Link to SSA Guidelines Back to FAQ Page

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SSA requires a child to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments) that results in "marked and severe functional limitations." Children and Disability For children to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, they must meet the Social Security Administration's (SSA) strict definition of disability. This requires a child to have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments) that results in "marked and severe functional limitations." The impairment must also have lasted, or be expected to last, for at least one year or result in death When evaluating a child's disability claim, the SSA considers their age, the severity of their limitations, and how their condition impacts their ability to function in age-appropriate activities compared to other children. Marked and Severe Functional Limitations Child Benefits Marked and Severe Functional Limitations refer to a level of impairment that significantly interferes with a child's ability to perform age-appropriate activities compared to other children without disabilities. Marked Limitations: A marked limitation is more severe than a moderate limitation and indicates serious difficulty in a particular domain. Severe Limitations: A severe limitation is one that very seriously interferes with a child's ability to function in a certain area. Determining Child SSI Claims How the SSA determines this: Functional Domains: The SSA evaluates a child's limitations across six domains: Acquiring and using information Attending and completing tasks Interacting and relating with others Moving about and manipulating objects Caring for yourself Health and physical well-being Comparison to Other Children: The child's limitations are assessed relative to what would be expected for their age group. Not Just Diagnosis: A diagnosis alone does not guarantee benefits. The focus is on how the medical condition impacts daily functioning. Back to FAQ Page

At ManleyReynolds, PLLC, we approach every case with a focus on achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. Our team of experienced lawyers is dedicated to working tirelessly to get you the benefits you deserve. We are here to help guide you through the process. Let us put our experience to work for you and help you navigate the complex world of Social Security disability law. The ManleyReynolds Approach At ManleyReynolds, PLLC, we approach every case with a focus on achieving the best possible outcome. We understand the challenges individuals face when seeking Social Security disability benefits and are here to guide you through the process. We use a personable and helpful approach. Let us put our experience to work for you as we navigate the complex world of Social Security disability law together. SSD and SSI What is the difference? You may have heard SSD and SSI many times while working through this process. These are two different federally funded benefit programs from Social Security. Depending on your past, you may only qualify for one type of social security payment. SSD is for people who have a sufficient work history. A person must have the required work credits and have an illness or injury that is medically determinable that prevents them from working full-time, that has or will last for at least 12 months, or will end in death. While SSI is for anyone who, for any reason, does not have a work history and has a medically determinable impairment. This includes children who have a medically determinable impairment that has or will last for at least 12 months or end in death. More Questions? See our full article here 3 Steps to Federal Benefits Step 1: Application Step 2: Reconsideration Step 3: Hearing The first step in your journey to receiving your benefits is to start an application. There are several ways to do this: 1. You can call us at (833)-GET-SSDI, and we will apply for you. 2. You can go online and fill out the electronic forms at ssa.gov. 3. You can call or go to your local field office. Read More The second step is to file a Request for Reconsideration. This must be done within 60 days of the date on the denial letter There are several ways you can file this request: 1. You can call our office at (833)-GET-SSDI, and we will file it for you. 2. You can mail in the forms to request a reconsideration. 3. You can go online and fill out the request. 4. You can go to your local field office to file it. Read More The third step is to file a Request for Hearing. This must be done within 60 days of the date on the denial letter. 1. You can call our office at (833)-GET-SSDI, and we will file it for you. 2. You can mail in the forms to request a hearing before the Judge. 3. You can go online and fill out the request. 4. You can go to your local field office to file it. Read More More Questions? See our full article here Attorney's Fees We don't get paid, till you get paid. There are no out-of-pocket attorney fees for our clients, ever. The Social Security Administration pays our attorney fees directly from the back benefits. The SSA must approve all fees before they are released. There is never a fee if you do not receive benefits. The SSA determines attorney fees at 25% of the back benefits up to $9,200.00. No fees ever come from future monthly benefits. Link to Attorney Fees page on SSA.gov Step 1: Application Up to a full 12 months Timeline to Benefits* Step 2: Reconsideration Up to 12 months after Step 1 denial Step 3: Hearing Request Usually between 6-8 months to receive hearing date Step 4: Judge's Decision After hearing date, up to 6 months for decision *All times are estimates; your specific matter could take more or less time than noted here. Judge Denied you? There's still hope today. Sometimes a Judge doesn’t agree that you are disabled. When that happens, there are ways to appeal the Judge’s decision. You can appeal to the Appeal Council that will review the judge's decison. This can more than a year. Learn More About the Appeal Process Here The First Step: Your Free Consultation Your first step is simple and costs you absolutely nothing. During your free consultation, we listen to your story, review where your Social Security disability claim stands, and explain your options in plain language. Whether you are just thinking about applying, have been denied, or are already waiting for a hearing, we step in right where you are. We do not make you start over, and we do not undo the progress you have already made. We build from it. There are no upfront fees, no hidden costs, and no risk to you. In fact, you pay us absolutely nothing unless we win your case and you receive back pay. If we do not win, you owe us nothing. It is that simple. Our job is to make the process easier, clearer, and less stressful, so you can focus on your health while we focus on your case.

Social Security Disability Law Firm that strives to make the process as easy as possible, answer questions quickly and accurately, and be available even after a successful outcome so that any future concerns that may come up, you can count on us being there for you. Step 3: Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) The next step is to request a hearing before a Judge. Again, this hearing request can be made online, in person, or by mail. If you are already a ManleyReynolds client or are contacting us for the first time, we will file this request for you. The hearing is the only chance you get to talk to someone about your medical condition, your ability to do daily activities, and your ability to work. Every step before this one has been made on paperwork only. By this point, many medical records have been gathered by DDS. Hopefully, the record is complete up to this point. From the denial of the recon to the end, it is up to the client to obtain and turn in medical information. No one from the Administration will be gathering further records on your behalf. This means as the month's tick by before the hearing; you will need to get and send in the medical records for each doctor or hospital you see after the denial of the recon. When you are our client, we ensure these things are provided to SSA on your behalf. You will be scheduled for a hearing and must be present on that date and time to testify. Hearings are held in person, on TEAMS, or on the phone. No matter the type of hearing, all hearings are the same. This is the claimant’s chance to talk to a person and help SSA decide that you are, in fact, disabled and cannot work in the job market. The Judge will ask you several questions that you are expected to answer honestly and truthfully. If you have hired us, we will talk to you before the hearing so that you know everything that will happen at your hearing. We will also be at the hearing with you and ask you questions at the hearing. The ALJ and our questions are designed to explain how your medical situation prevents you from working full-time in the job market. Our attorneys also prepare and submit to the judge before your hearing a detailed brief on why you are disabled, what medical records back up your position, and if you meet or equal any listings. After the hearing, the judge will make a written decision and send it to you via mail. Claimants are rarely told at a hearing that they will be getting benefits or that the ALJ is writing a fully favorable decision. The Judge can decide you are disabled, you are disabled but from a different date then you said or that you are not disabled. The letter will say fully favorable, partially favorable, or unfavorable. If the ALJ finds you are disabled, you will then receive letters in the mail stating what your monthly benefit will be and what, if any, back pay you will receive. If the ALJ finds you are not disabled, you can still appeal that decision. Claimants who go to a hearing without an attorney are approved about 35% of the time. Been Approved? You may qualify for Medicare. See our article here Return to Our Approach Page Link to Appeals

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