The Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider your past work experience and your ability to work in the same job or another job when it decides whether or not you are disabled. However, if you can still do the kind of work you did before you became disabled, the SSA will not consider whether or not you can get a job when it is deciding whether or not you are disabled.
The following factors are not relevant to your Social Security disability eligibility determination and will not be considered when deciding whether or not you should receive Social Security disability benefits if it is determined that you can still do the same kind of work that you used to do. Specifically, the SSA will not consider whether:
- You will be hired
- A job opening exists
- You would be required to move. For example, if you live in Richardson, the SSA will not consider whether you would have to move to a different part of Texas or a different state in order to keep working in the same kind of job.
- You want to do the work
- You still have the necessary licensure, certificate, or other credentials to do the work
However, if you cannot do the same kind of work that you did prior to becoming disabled, the SSA may consider what other jobs you can do and may consider the prevalence of those jobs in the national economy when deciding whether or not you should receive Social Security disability.
If you have any questions about how your work experience and ability to continue working impact your Social Security disability application, please start a live chat with us today so we can get your questions answered.
by Paul B. Burkhalter Managing Partner of Morgan Weisbrod , Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law.