If you | Then your education level is |
(a) Can't read or write a simple communication, such as two sentences or a list of items. | Illiterate |
(b) Have no formal schooling or vocational training beyond the sixth grade. | Marginal education |
(c) Have no formal schooling or vocational training beyond the eleventh grade; or (d) Had participated in special education in basic academic classes of reading, writing or mathematics in high school. | Limited education |
(e) Have received a high school diploma or general equivalency degree (GED) and don't meet the special education definition in (d) above; or (f) Have received skills training and were awarded a certificate, degree or license. | High school and above level of education |
Exertional level | Your age | Your education level | Work history | Nonexertional and functional limitations |
Restricted to less than sedentary | Any age | Any level | Does not apply | Does not apply |
Restricted to sedentary | Any age | Any level | Does not apply | You have nonexertional or functional impairments that preclude all sedentary work |
Restricted to sedentary | Fifty and older | Any level | Does not apply | Does not apply |
Restricted to sedentary | Forty-five and older | Marginal education, illiterate, or unable to communicate in English | Unskilled or none | Does not apply |
Restricted to light | Any age | Any level | Does not apply | You have nonexertional or functional impairments that preclude all sedentary work |
Restricted to light | Fifty and older | Marginal education or unable to communicate in English | Does not apply | Does not apply |
Your age | Your education | Work history | Social and cognitive limitations |
Any age | Any level | Any level | Substantial loss of ability to: • Understand, remember, and persist in tasks by following very short and simple instructions; • Perform activities within a schedule, maintain regular attendance, and be punctual within customary tolerances without special supervision; • Perform routine tasks without special supervision; • Adapt to changes in a routine work setting; • Make simple work-related decisions; • Be aware of normal hazards and take appropriate precautions; • Ask simple questions or request assistance; • Communicate and perform effectively in a work setting; • Complete a normal workday and workweek without interruptions from psychologically based symptoms; or • Maintain appropriate behavior in a work setting. |
Fifty and older | Any level | Any level | Substantial loss of ability to: • Understand, remember, and persist in tasks by following detailed instructions; • Set realistic goals and plan independently; or • Learn new tasks. |
Your age | Your education level | Exertional level | Social and cognitive limitations | Other vocational factors |
Any age | Any level | Restricted to light or less | You have a substantial loss of ability to: • Communicate and perform effectively in a work setting; or • Maintain appropriate behavior in a work setting. | No transferable skills to work level |
Fifty or older | Limited education or unable to communicate in English | Restricted to light or less | Does not apply | No transferable skills to work level |
Any age | Marginal education, illiterate, or unable to communicate in English | Restricted to medium or less | You have a substantial loss of ability to: • Communicate and perform effectively in a work setting with limited public contact; or • Maintain appropriate behavior in a work setting. | No transferable skills to work level |