To be found disabled, a person must have a severe physical and mental impairment, and that must preclude them from not being able to do their previous work, and it must preclude them from engaging in any other kind of gainful work which is available in the national economy.

In analyzing this situation, judges at the Social Security Administration assess transferability of skills. Transferability of skills only comes into play when a judge is analyzing whether a disability claimant is able to engage in other work besides their past work, particularly skilled or semi-skilled jobs.

The Social Security Administration defines unskilled occupations as jobs where people can usually learn how to do them in 30 days or less. A good example of this would be a dishwasher.

Semi-skilled jobs are typically a little more complex and require more than 30 days to learn. An example of a semi-skilled job would be a room service attendant.

The last section of transferability is skilled work. These jobs are typically more complex than unskilled and semi-skilled occupations. There are two ranges of skilled work including the lower level which would be something like a bulldozer operator, or an architect in the higher end of skilled work. A lawyer would also be found to be a high-end skilled work type position.

In essence, the more skills that a Social Security claimant in Arizona has, the less chance of a judge finding them disabled. It is important to understand the Social Security process here in Arizona. The Fendon Law Firm is well-experienced in that area. Please feel free to call us for a free consultation. We have offices in Phoenix, Tuscan, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, and Prescott Valley.

We are the largest family owned and operated workers’ compensation and Social Security law firm in the State of Arizona. We treat clients like family because we are family. Contact Fendon Law Firm, P.C. today!