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Social Security recognizes the following exertion levels: (Note: The ability to perform work at any level assumes the ability to perform work at any lighter level. For example, if you can perform medium work, it is assumed you can also perform light and sedentary work as well. This assumption can be rebutted if you can prove that is not the case.)

Sedentary

  • The lowest level of work recognized by Social Security
  • Sitting 6 hours out of an 8 hour day
  • Standing and/or walking at least 2 hours per day (not necessarily in one chunk of time)
  • Lifting up to 10 pounds

Light

  • A lot of walking or standing, such as 6 hours out of an 8 hour day
  • Lifting up to 20 pounds. Includes frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
  • Using foot pedals etc

Medium

  • Standing all day
  • Lifting up to 50 pounds, including frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Heavy

  • Standing all day
  • Lifting up to 100 pounds at a time, with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Very Heavy

  • Lifting over 100 pounds, with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing more than 50 pounds. 

You can't even do Sedentary Work if:

  • You can't lift more than 10 pounds and
  • You can't even walk without a cane, walker or other device
  • You can't bend at the waist without pain
  • You can't sit for a prolonged period of time due to pain
  • You can't use your upper extremities
  • You can't see and it can't be corrected with eyeglasses
  • Your hearing loss means you can't hear normal speech

Arduous unskilled work exception: A person is disabled if s/he has worked 35 years of such work, is not working, has a marginal education and can no longer do prior work.