How Past Relevant Work Is Evaluated in Your Claim
The SSA reviews your past relevant work to decide whether you could return to a job you have already done before considering other work. How this step is handled can determine whether your claim moves forward.
What Counts as Past Relevant Work
Past relevant work generally includes jobs you performed at the substantial gainful activity level, within a recent period, that lasted long enough for you to learn them. The SSA examines these jobs during the five-step sequential evaluation.
How the SSA Evaluates It
The agency compares your current abilities to the demands of your past jobs, both as you performed them and as they are generally done in the economy. If you can still do either version, the SSA may deny the claim at this step.
Why Accurate Job Descriptions Matter
Describing your past work precisely is essential. Important details include:
- The physical demands, such as lifting, standing, and walking.
- The mental demands, such as concentration and pace.
- The tools, equipment, or processes you used.
- Whether the job was skilled, semi skilled, or unskilled.
What Happens Next
If the SSA finds you cannot return to past work, it moves to whether you can adjust to other work, where the grid rules and your age become central. So clearing the past work step is often the gateway to approval for older applicants.
The Bottom Line
Past relevant work is a pivotal step. If you cannot return to it, the analysis shifts to other work, where age and skills matter most. Describe your past jobs accurately. This article is general information and not legal advice. Confirm how this step applies to you with the SSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back does past relevant work go?
The SSA looks at a recent period of work history. Jobs from too long ago may not count, which can help your claim at this step.
What if I did a job differently than it is normally done?
The SSA considers both how you actually performed the job and how it is generally performed. If you cannot do either version, you pass this step.
Sources
- Social Security Administration, Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, SSA.gov
- SSA Program Operations Manual System, Past Relevant Work, SSA.gov
- SSA, Medical-Vocational Guidelines, SSA.gov