Does Your Last Job Determine If You Receive A Social Security or SSI Award?Your last job does not, in itself, determine if you receive a form of an RFC, or residual functional capacity, rating) How Social Security decisions are different from other types of decisions Social Security Disability determinations are not like short or long disability evaluations from your employer or disability insurance company in that Social Security determinations do not just consider your last job when they make their medical disability decision. Most employer or private disability insurance companies only consider performing your last job. Social Security considers any relevant job performed in the last fifteen years. Any job that you performed in the past fifteen years that A) you had time to learn, B) lasted three months or more, and C) in which your earnings were at an SGA level, is a relevant job. Part of the disability criteria used by SSA, of course, is determining that, if you are not able to do your last job, i.e. you might be able to do some other job. It is important to note that at the disability application and reconsideration appeal levels, where decisions are made by disability examiners, you may be denied on the basis of the ability to do other work even if that "other work" does not exist in the city or state where you live. Fortunately, at the social security hearing level, judges often bring in vocational experts to more precisely identify other work prospects by analyzing how many suitable "other work" jobs might exist in the economy, and whether or not you could actually obtain one based on the part of the country in which you live. Disability examiners consider your residual functional capacity (what you are able to do despite the limitations of your impairment) when they evaluate all of your past jobs. They may find you are not able to do any of your past jobs, however that still does not necessarily determine if you will receive Social Security or SSI disability. The past work evaluation is the fourth step in the five step sequential evaluation process. If the disability examiner is able to rule out all of your past jobs they still must evaluate the possibility, as we've said, that you are able to some other kind of work. The final determining factor of the disability evaluation process is an evaluation of your ability to perform any other kind of job. Your inability to perform any other kind of work (considering your age, education, job skills, and residual functional capacity) determines if you receive Social Security or SSI disability. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Applying for NC disability benefits Applying for disability for Plantar Fasciitis How far back are Social Security Disability benefits awarded on an appeal? How long will it take to start getting disability benefits after an award notice? Receiving a Social Security Disability Award Letter The SSI Award Letter from Social Security The Social Security Award Notice after Disability Benefits are Awarded When Do You Get A Social Security Disability Award Letter And What Does It Say? The Social Security Disability Five Month Waiting Period Check Amount on Social Security Disability Award Letter What conditions do they Award Disability Benefits for? You Cannot get a Social Security Disability or SSI Award if you don't Provide SSA what they need How Much Do You Get For Disability If You Are Awarded Benefits? Does Your Last Job Determine If You Receive A Social Security or SSI Award? Can Social Security Disability Benefits Be Awarded Quickly? The Social Security Disability award notice process in North Carolina How is Social Security Disability and SSI Awarded? |
