Definition of Past Relevant Work

The SSA considers:

• Jobs performed in the last 15 years that lasted long enough to gain necessary skills.
• Skills and experience you acquired while working.
• Whether the work involved sustained activity and learning.

Role in Disability Evaluation

The SSA uses past relevant work to:

• Assess your ability to perform previous jobs despite your disability.
• Determine if any reasonable accommodations or adjustments could help you return to work.
• Evaluate residual functional capacity against job requirements.

Interaction with Medical Evidence

They combine work history with:

• Doctor's statements detailing physical or mental limitations.
• Tests and reports that reflect your functional capabilities.
• Medical documentation supporting inability to perform past work.

Significance in Illinois Disability Claims

For claimants in Illinois:

• Past relevant work determines if transitioning to new work is required.
• If able to do past work, disability benefits may be denied.
• Helps guide vocational assessments and job placement options.

Common Challenges with Past Relevant Work

Claimants often face issues such as:

• Insufficient documentation of previous job duties or duration.
• Disputes about the transferability of skills to new work.
• Inaccurate assessment of physical or mental demands of prior work.