Step 3: Does the Claimant's Impairment Meet or Equal a Listed Impairment?

If the claimant's impairment matches a listing—as published in Appendix 1 to Subpart P of Part 404—he/she will be found to be disabled. Click here for an abridged listing of impairments.

If the claimant's impairment does not match a listing, he or she may still be disabled. The combination of a claimant's impairments, both physical and mental, exertional and nonexertional, may be severe enough reduce his/her RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) so much that full-time employment cannot be sustained, even if the impairments are not severe enough to meet a listing.

A substantial loss of basic work-related abilities could render a person disabled. Those under 50 and or in their early 50's must prove they have deficits in the ability to

• understand/remember/carry out simple instructions
• make basic work-related judgments
• respond appropriately to supervisors, co-workers and usual work situations
• deal with changes in a routine work setting

STEP 4