Why does prior work matter in an SSDI claim.  The best way I can think of to explain how prior work can affect a SSDI decision is by example.  Lets say you have two clients applying for SSDI and both are 52 years old and both are limited to sedentary work with no non-exertional impairments due to there medical conditions.  Now one worked as a receptionist (sedentary job) and the other did construction (medium to heavy job) for last 15 years.  I should probably mention here that neither person's medical conditions meet or equal a listed impairment because if they did they would be found disabled.  Both individuals in this example would be evaluated under the Grid rules as being closely approaching advanced age.  The grid rules is a chart that helps SSA decision makers determine if someone is disabled. So under the Grid rules the construction worker would be found disabled and the receptionist would be found not disabled.  The reason for this is that the receptionist job was determined to be sedentary and since SS found this claimant to be limited to sedentary the chart says she could perform her prior work and therefore the Grids direct a finding of not disabled. Now in the example of the construction worker limited to sedentary work when you look at the chart it shows that if prior work was heavier than sedentary this individual can not perform her past work and the Grids direct a finding of disabled.  I know this can be a little confusing so please feel free to take a look at my web page that explains the Grid rules.

One mistake many people make when applying for SSDI is that they only include their most severe medical condition on the application and don't mention their other less severe medical conditions.  What everyone who is applying for Social Security Disability needs to know is that you should be listing all your medical conditions on your application.  When Social Security evaluates your claim they are required to look at all your medical conditions and determine if you can work based on how all the conditions combined limit you in your ability to work.  One example of this is many people with severe chronic pain such as a major back injury also suffer from some degree of depression.  I can't tell you how many times I have had clients who have applied for SSDI and listed their back injury as the reason for their disability and when I review there records find out they are also being treated for depression as a result of their constant pain and change in lifestyle.  So remember list all your medical conditions on your application so that when Social Security evaluates your claim they take into account all your medical conditions.