Can I Still Win Even if I do not
Meet a Social Security Listing?

Granted, if you meet one of Social Security’s listings, you are more likely to get a favorable decision in the early stages of the application process.  However, you can still win a disability case even if you do not meet a listing, since winning your case is ultimately about proving that your medical condition keeps you from being able to work.

As I like to emphasize, Social Security case decisions are based on the work limitations that result from one’s medical condition(s).  Therefore, it is most important that you are able to identify the specific work limitations that cause you to not be able to hold a job of any kind.  Whether you meet a listing is irrelevant if I you can prove you are unable to work. So you do not always have to meet a listing in order to get approved.

FYI: If you don’t meet a listing to begin with, though, you may have to wait months or even years before you are actually scheduled for a court hearing. I am hoping that the long waits and court delays are only a temporary problem and that the Social Security Administration is able to implement a different disability claims process soon.  As of mid-2008, the delays in the Georgia Social Security decision process had reached an all time high. The SSA continues to hold off on bringing forth a new judging process.

You can keep track of changes within the Social Security system on my disability podcast and my disability blog.