Changes To Past Relevant Work and Disability Determinations
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 15, 2024
In fiscal year 2023, more than 1.8 million people applied for disability benefits through Social Security’s two programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Until recently, Social Security required adult applicants to provide their work history going back 15 years. That’s because the inability to work is key to Social Security’s definition of disability.
In general, Social Security finds adult applicants to be disabled only if they have a severe medical condition that either prevents them from doing any substantial work for at least 1 year or is expected to result in death.
Based on this strict definition of disability for both SSDI and SSI, it’s not surprising that Social Security’s disability application focuses on a person’s illnesses and injuries, limitations, treatment, and work history.
But recalling the details of 15 years of employment – job titles, duties, dates, etc. – can be a major challenge. At the Urban Justice Center, our clients often struggle to provide accurate information from their past. To improve their work history narrative while their disability application is pending, we routinely help them to update and clarify information about their previous jobs.
Thankfully, Social Security recently published a new rule that reduces the period it considers when determining whether a person has past relevant work (PRW).
Effective June 22, Social Security began considering work going back 5 years, not 15. In addition, work is no longer relevant if the job lasted less than 30 calendar days.
You can read more about changes in the disability evaluation process in Social Security’s press release.
Decreasing the relevant work period from 15 to 5 years will make it easier for people to accurately report their work history. The reduction also makes sense given Social Security’s recent efforts to modernize the vocational policy that is used to make disability decisions. Research indicates that certain types of skills – namely, “manual” skills – can significantly deteriorate in 5 years.
The PRW changes will reduce the time it takes for applicants to fill out Social Security’s work history forms. This is a small step to simplifying the disability application process. Social Security also benefits by receiving better quality information earlier in the evaluation process.
Ultimately, millions of people applying for disability should see a reduction in processing times.
Our posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization, author, or webpages.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: Disability, social security, SSI, supplemental security income
See CommentsAbout the Author
Comments
Leave a Comment
Please review our Comment Policy before leaving a comment. For your safety, please do not post Personally Identifiable Information (such as your Social Security Number, address, phone number, email address, bank account number, or birthdate) on our blog.
Hope
Because of my mental health . I am unable to work . I have severe panic attack PTSD have been suicidal a number of times. I have applied for disability 5 times now .and keep getting denied .. and have filed several appeals. Still have said no . I have literally spilled my guts with social security .. l have had to go deep into my mental health and explain everything over and over and over again . With All OF THE SAME questions. That Social Security has asked me . I feel that all of my mental anguish . That this is causing me is of no concern to Social Security.
Dawn S.
Very disappointed with SSDI. My husband applied, denied, appealed many times for his disability (liver disease Hep C) awaiting transplant. Years of this BS, He passed away. The messed up thing, 2 weeks after he passed, received a letter he approved…. but too late now… can’t receive benefits….
Samantha G.
I’m sorry 😞 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Tammy O.
After filing for disability in 2023, I talked to a lady who was in charge of my case. She said your just like so many people that expect the government to tske care of you. She didn’t even know me. I had helped others all my life, made 8000 a month on my last job, why after losing everything would I want that little bit of money if I was able. I was then gave ssi for a couple of months. When all was said and done I had to pay back ssi because I had 27 thousand dollars. Over 7 went to a lawyer, then pay back ssi and was left with 17. Why do they put low income programs out there only to take it away. I would rather work and I’m praying for a miracle. I found out along time ago the government does not care. Simple. I’m still without a home.
Larry F.
I am with you on this! I have worked my heart out for over 40+ years,to the etent itbruioned my health,and am now 50% disabled,with crippling injuries,cancer,and lung disease.I had a very bad accident at work which nearly killed me,and almost paralyzed me.It took 3 years to get some kind of Workmen’s comp settlement,where I wastold that paying for the CONSIDERABLE pain(which I STILL suffer from),and suffering,were “off the table”.When I went to apply for SSDI this year,I was told “there is a rule that says you are too old to receive it” (I am now 68).Now that I am at an age where my disabilities are worsening like disabilities do at our age, and wilI only get even more severe,like many others out there–I am being told that payment for that,like the workman’s comp case,is “OFF THE TABLE”! And when I went to apply for SSI,which I qualify in ALL THREE CATEGORIES for,I was told that “Im make too much income. $1400 a month,on SS. $16,900+ a year.And it’s LOWER than others on SDS,because I was born in the “notch” years(1956) between ’56 and ’59,when SS pays the LEASTThat is ALL the money I have,and can get,since I can no longer work(and can barely do anything at home,either) In TODAYS economy,with inflation upwards of 14-18%,getting the1.3% in COLA means NOTHING. And I am supporting a sibling on that! If I worked a job,I am allowed $19,000+ a year.But NOT when I am on Social Security,which,according to THEIR rules,I can receive BOTH SS and SSI.The reason they DON’T WANT to give people like us aqny more money THAT WE WORKED FOR,because for ONE,the Feds have STOLEN SO MUCH out of SS,then they have FIRED all the good workers during COVID because they wouldn’t take a phony vaccine which left fewer workers to put INTO the system,THEN they are printing money like MAD-devaluing it EVEN MORE- to fight a bunch of useless costly wars,and handing money by the BILLIONS to corrupt “leaders”…not counting,of course,all of the tweop-legged night crawlers coming over our borders,who get free cell phones(which they THROW AWAY),free food,transportation,stays in luxury hotels,and services Americans don’t even get,or are doled out in meager amounts to US-U.S. CITIZENS who WORKED and PAID and CONTRIBUTED ALL OF OUR LIVES—only to be told,”NO SOUP for YOU! “not enuff money left,sorry”. But–PLENTY left to pay a bunch of indigents who created THEIR OWN misery,and sit on their A$$ all day! Yet-people like us are givern the one-finger salute,and told to go on our way.Yeah,I get it.
Carolyn B.
What is the difference between social security benefits and social security disability benefits? I was on social security disability then it changed to regular social security benefits when I turned 66yrs.old most seniors can work part time jobs when they retire but I can’t I’ve also been raising my grandson since he lost a kidney to cancer when he was 2yrs.old he’s 14 now I don’t know where his parents are so I don’t get child support either
S.S.
Hi, Carolyn. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are based on your earnings. When your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, the amount will likely remain the same. We hope this helps.
Brandon
I was on social security for disability for couple years they sent me paper saying they are 4 years behind on my paperwork and all that so for their mistake I have to pay them back around $20,000 this is bs
Barilynn B.
I really don’t understand how I have worked almost 35 years and because of the Union and have to reapply and reapply that I was unable to get my benefits because it was over the 10 years, but people that has never worked in their life gets money from Social Security it is so hard y’all make it so hard for everyone and I don’t understand why you can’t work to file for disability. Well you can’t afford to go to doctor because you don’t have no money and they deny you and then you gotta reapply and reapply. It’s really hard. Don’t need to reevaluate this system. Thank you.
Quacy M.
please and thank you but i would like to do lawsuit and sue to the hospital who made my condition worst and i need social secuity help to do it. the hospital or mental hospital im suing or lawsuit will be kings county mental hospital and brookdale hospital mental hospital i went to
Quacy M.
this might be a great idea
Quacy M.
tell everyone thanks they did it for me also many times. thanks again
Lia
So this will be a refile for my husband. I’m hoping against hope with ALL the medical evidence he has and all his disabilities and his age of almost pushing 52, that the SSA will do the right thing this time and say yes that he is in fact, disabled. The rule change should benefit him I am hoping as when he lost his case( go figure the judge was no good…gross miscarriage of justice) he can win this time because the judge said he isn’t able to do his past job. So if he cannot do the previous five years work, then he should be found disabled by SSAs own rules. Who knows anymore??!! We r too busy giving our money away to foreign wars to help our ppl first. I know for A FACT he IS disabled! He has horrible back problems, terrible depression / anxiety (been to a mental ward twice for attempted suicide) Carpel tunnel in both wrists, chronic migraines that leave him bed ridden for days, and sleeplessness. Yet you ppl at the SSA didn’t find him disabled! Shocking!
S.D.
We’re sorry to hear about your husband’s situation, Lia. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition(s) that is expected to last at least one year or end in death. Your husband’s disability must prevent him from doing the work he did in the past. Beginning June 22, 2024, when determining past relevant work, we will review only 5 years of past work, not 15. If your husband can’t do the work he did in the past, we look to see if there is other work he could do despite his impairments. To learn about our process, visit How You Qualify. For more information about the changes to the Past Relevant Work period, read our earlier blog. We hope this helps.
Joann L.
Talk to a disability advocate and go to a Social Security lawyer. They will set up medical for you to prove disability and knock down that so called work list they think you can do. Most of those on the job list don’t even have jobs and no,they do not accommodate disabled……
Amanda J.
Don’t refile ever. Always appeal first.
Anthony
I think the Social security system is horrible to have to had worked in last 5 years to be eligible for SSI or SSDI is against God who is the ultimate decider.To think our country stands for In God we trust as their motto is total plashemy. What about those who have been sick their who lives? Those suffering from Mental Illnesses of all kinds not to mention physical illnesses. This is pathetic and the law needs to change They don’t care about the sick our country and I have no hope that they’ll ever change They can help other people in other countries but not their own? God help all of them because frankly they’re not of God and he is watching. Have mercy!! I personally have OCD and it ruined my life Social security cut me out of SSI in 2015 although I’ve been disabled for 30 years. Now I’m unable to even qualify for SSI or SSDI it’s sad and I really don’t care who is in the White House because all they think about are themselves.
Joann L.
Go to a lawyer . You defently fit the criteria of disability…Mentally disabled.
Donna
Amen help our country now!!!!
Melissa G.
Wait, I just received a letter today asking for my work activity report. And it is asking me to go back to 2009. That’s not 5 years. And I get penalized every other year for back pay. So why am I paying all this back pay? I can’t even remember back to 2009. I’ve been on SSI since 2009. I’m trying to get my SSDI. This makes no sense.
Raquel
Hi Melissa G. I’m sorry for you and your husband’s troubles. I hope things work out. I don’t think the change has taken effect yet. I think they are considering it, if I’m reading the article correctly. I wish a moderator would chime in and confirm.
Pamela
I’m glad that SS is simplifying the work background intake when applying for SSDI but I wish 1) they had addressed those of us who worked for years and always kept 7 years of returns – as advised – in the event of an audit AND those of us who, despite very lucrative recruitments spent a great deal of time working to help save lives at much lower salaries due to our values, AND who had the 8 years of missing records averaged in as $0, lowering our benefits to less than medical expenses in many cases, leaving us while fighting to live to have to go back and forth between SS and IRS each of whom said the OTHER had the records, and each of whom said they didn’t. One party said they were destroyed after seven years – I would have laughed had I not been so incapacitated. NOTHING is “gone” – those records are accessible. There is no erasing which cannot be accessed is my understanding. It was a long grueling horrible addition to losing so very much already, and 2) Why people on SSDI whose benefits & income (when they are able to work) are below the level which qualifies one for SSI are not allowed to receive SSI to help them with medical expenses and simply living? I can’t even buy a cup of coffee once in EVER, let alone necessities.
I understand when it’s someone who is disabled but who has the means to live well, but…..
And now, due to not receiving my mail – which I addressed with the post office long ago and filled out forms for them and detailed the situation,(and made each of the Leasing Agents at the Housing Authority aware of the mail problem) am facing eviction court with no ability to hear p – roperly there, or see under the LED’s or think/reply properly due to excruciating pain, and horrible Vertigo from a blast injury and more ongoing and preceding in the vacinity – and which is, to my understanding in violation of zoning codes – and others rant and rave (pointless) then move out/pay for the whole year or perhaps just leave; and I’d been told by a property manager years ago that yes, they could relocate me – that it shouldn’t be a problem – and never heard back – even when I called when eardrums ruptured again with ever increasing horrible consequences and injuries, let alone irreplaceable property destroyed over and over and over, destruction and very dangerous circumstances. And I was dropped from subsidized housing unbeknownst to me (mail not received – those I did receive I immediately called about but it wasn’t about MY being evicted and dropped and I did the appropriate things). Now it’s inevitable I won’t survive at all – after fighting so hard and for so long with so many medical complications and more severe injuries…so wanted to get back to my work, then take a year and do some work for me. (I felt that was fair.) I waited too long…but so many could be helped/saved if I finished my work, I felt compelled to do so – could help so many people. In my world, if you CAN help, you DO help – even if it means giving up years, your social life, sleep and more. Yes, sometimes it IS that important.
I am glad for those going through a difficult time with becoming disabled that at least this is easier, but do ask about those of us like me?
I’m also glad for the SSA as well, as this will simplify their jobs (hopefully) – just wish…… Can one hope this might be addressed?
I do hope to hear from you in time, but please know my electronics have been killed over and over and I simply cannot replace them, and my last computer stolen before I even had a chance to use it. I’m on a borrowed laptop which doesn’t have my accessibility assistance software and more…… and it must be returned – I only hope I can borrow one again.
Thank you for reading this, it’s appreciated. And I do hope for your sake that the changes make your jobs a bit less stressful.
Chris O.
Contact your Congressman and also your State Assemblyman. That’s what they’re there for. These people took these offices to represent You and all citizens in all civil and social matters.
Best luck.