Step 1: Evaluate Your Age and Education Level

Your age and educational background are considered because they affect your job prospects and adaptability:

• Older claimants may face more difficulty adjusting to new work roles.
• Limited education or skills can restrict the types of work you are capable of performing.

Step 2: Consider Past Work Experience

The SSDI program reviews your work history and how your disability impacts the tasks you previously performed:

• Skills and job complexity are assessed to see if you can adapt to other work.
• Long gaps or limited work experience may affect your RFC evaluation.

Step 3: Analyze Your Ability to Adapt to Work

How well you can adjust to workplace demands is a key factor:

• Social skills and communication abilities are reviewed.
• Concentration and persistence in tasks matter for ongoing employment.

Step 4: Review Limitations from Non-Medical Circumstances

Other life circumstances influence your work capacity:

• Access to transportation and reliable childcare may affect job opportunities.
• Support systems at home can impact your ability to maintain employment.

Step 5: Consider the Type of Work Available Locally

The availability of suitable jobs in your area is important:

• Local job market conditions are factored into the RFC assessment.
• The SSA evaluates if your skills match jobs that exist near you.

Step 6: Impact of Non-Medical Behaviors

Your daily habits or behaviors can influence functional capacity:

• Motivation and compliance with treatment or rehabilitation.
• Substance use or lifestyle choices that might affect work ability.