Most people applying for SSD benefits know that medical history plays a huge part in whether their application is accepted or not, but not many people realize that work history also plays a part.
It’s obvious that your medical history will be taken into consideration when you are applying for SSD benefits, but too many people are unaware that their work history is also taken into consideration. In fact, both work history and medical history are two of the most important parts of the application process. This is due to the fact that, being awarded SSD benefits, means that you have a medical condition that prevents you from performing not only your current job but previous jobs and other jobs your skills may be suited to as well.
Why are your previous jobs and skills so important?
When the disability examiner reviews your medical records, they are of course looking for information about your disability, but that’s not all they are looking for. The disability examiner is also trying to determine your residual functional capacity (RFC). An RFC assessment will help the disability examiner to determine which specific activities you can and cannot perform due to your disability. Then, the disability examiner will use the RFC to find out if you have the ability to work any job you’ve held in the past 15 years or if you have skills that are transferrable to another kind of job.
Now that you know how your work history is used and why it is important, stay tuned for our next blog where our Social Security attorney in Louisville will be talking about the specific work history information you should provide when applying for SSD benefits.
