One of the most misunderstood parts of a Social Security disability case is something called Past Relevant Work, often shortened to PRW. Most people have never heard the term until they receive a denial letter or sit in front of an Administrative Law Judge.

The idea sounds simple enough. Social Security wants to know whether you can still perform work you have done in the past. But what counts as “past work” is much more complicated than most people realize. Many disability claims are denied because Social Security decides that the claimant can still perform a previous job—even when the claimant believes that job is impossible. Understanding how Past Relevant Work is evaluated can make a tremendous difference in your disability claim.

What Is Past Relevant Work?

Past Relevant Work is not simply every job you have ever held. Generally speaking, Social Security considers a job to be Past Relevant Work if it:

• Was performed within the last five years before your disability claim is evaluated.
• Lasted long enough for you to learn how to perform it.
• Was performed at the level of substantial gainful activity (SGA), meaning you earned enough for Social Security to consider it real competitive employment.

If a job does not meet all of these requirements, it may not qualify as Past Relevant Work. This distinction can be extremely important because jobs that are not Past Relevant Work generally cannot be used to deny your disability claim at Step Four of Social Security’s evaluation process.

Why Does Social Security Look at Past Relevant Work?

Social Security uses a five-step process to decide disability claims. At Step Four, the question is straightforward: Can you still perform any of your Past Relevant Work despite your medical conditions? If the answer is yes, your claim will usually be denied.

If the answer is no, your case moves to Step Five, where Social Security must determine whether there are any other jobs in the national economy that you could perform. Getting beyond Step Four is often one of the biggest hurdles in a disability case.

It’s Not Just the Job Title

One of the biggest surprises for many claimants is that Social Security does not simply look at your job title. For example, two people may both have worked as “office managers,” yet one spent the day answering phones while the other regularly lifted heavy boxes, stocked inventory, and supervised employees. The actual duties performed are what matter.

This is why your Work History Report is so important. Social Security wants detailed information about:

• How much you lifted.
• How long you stood or walked.
• Whether you sat most of the day.
• How much bending, stooping, climbing, reaching, or carrying was required.
• Whether you supervised other workers.
• The skills you learned.

Small details often make a significant difference.

What About Jobs You Could Never Perform Again?

Many people assume that because they once performed a physically demanding job, Social Security automatically understands they cannot return to it after becoming disabled. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Suppose you spent twenty years working in construction. You now have severe back problems, multiple surgeries, chronic pain, and lifting restrictions. Your medical records may clearly show you cannot perform heavy labor anymore. If the evidence supports those limitations, Social Security may agree that you cannot return to construction work.

However, the analysis does not stop there. The agency must also determine whether your previous work, as generally performed in the national economy, required the same level of physical activity that you actually performed. That distinction can sometimes become the focus of an appeal or hearing.

What If Your Job Was Different Than the Typical Job?

Many employers require workers to perform several different jobs at once. For example, someone hired as a cashier may also unload trucks, clean the store, stock shelves, prepare deposits, and supervise employees. These are often called composite jobs because they combine duties from more than one occupation.

Composite jobs can be especially important because Social Security should evaluate the job as it was actually performed rather than trying to compare only one portion of the work to a standard job description. This is one reason why a detailed work history can be critical.

Can Old Jobs Count?

Generally, jobs performed more than five years before your disability determination are not considered Past Relevant Work. The reasoning is practical. Work requirements change. Technology changes. Industries evolve. Skills become outdated. A job you performed many years ago may no longer reflect your current vocational abilities. That is why Social Security usually focuses on more recent employment.

Why Accurate Work History Matters

Many disability cases are won or lost because of how a claimant describes prior work. People often underestimate how physically demanding their jobs really were. Others forget important duties that significantly increase the exertional level of the work.

For example, someone may simply write: “I worked in a grocery store.” That tells Social Security almost nothing. A much more accurate description might explain that the employee:

• Lifted boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Stood eight hours a day.
• Stocked shelves.
• Climbed ladders.
• Operated heavy carts.
• Assisted customers with loading purchases.

Those details paint a very different picture.

The Role of Vocational Experts

At many disability hearings, the Administrative Law Judge calls a Vocational Expert. The Vocational Expert reviews your work history, classifies your previous jobs, and offers opinions about whether someone with your medical limitations could still perform those jobs.

Sometimes the classification is straightforward. Other times it becomes one of the most important issues in the entire hearing. An incorrect job classification can affect the outcome of a disability claim. That is why careful preparation before the hearing is so important.

Every Case Is Different

No two disability cases are exactly alike. The same medical condition may prevent one person from returning to previous work while allowing another person to continue working. Age, education, work experience, transferable skills, and medical limitations all play important roles.

The goal is not simply proving that you cannot do your old job. The goal is proving, under Social Security’s rules, that your medical impairments prevent you from performing your Past Relevant Work—and, if necessary, any other substantial work that exists in significant numbers.

We Can Help

Understanding Past Relevant Work is one of the keys to a successful Social Security disability claim. A mistake in describing your work history or an incorrect classification of your previous job can lead to an unnecessary denial.

For more than fifty years, we have helped disability claimants throughout Louisiana navigate the Social Security system. We understand how vocational evidence, medical records, and Social Security regulations fit together, and we work to present every case as accurately and completely as possible.

If you have questions about your disability claim or have been denied benefits, contact our office. We will review your case, explain your options, and help you determine the best path forward.