Definition of Past Relevant Work

The SSA considers PRW as:

• Jobs done within the last 15 years that lasted long enough for skill acquisition.
• Work that involved a certain level of skill, experience, and responsibility.

Use in Disability Determination

The SSA uses PRW to:

• Determine your ability to perform past work despite limitations.
• Assess if you can return to your previous job roles or similar positions.

Physical and Mental Demands

SSA evaluates your PRW by examining:

• The physical exertion level such as sedentary, light, medium, heavy, or very heavy work.
• The mental demands including reasoning, memory, and interaction with others.

Impact on Disability Eligibility

Your PRW status affects eligibility by:

• If you can still perform PRW, your claim may be denied.
• If you cannot perform PRW, SSA moves forward to evaluate other work options.

Role of Vocational Experts

• Vocational experts analyze how your skills apply to PRW and other jobs.
• They consider your residual functional capacity and PRW to project work options.

Documentation Matters

• Providing detailed work history is crucial to establishing PRW.
• Accurate job descriptions support SSA’s evaluation of your disability claim.