SSDI Work Evaluation: How SSA Decides If You Can Still Work

Work
Written By Jacky Writes

Introduction

If you’ve ever wondered how the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides whether you can return to work despite your medical condition, the answer starts with something called Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)—an assessment of what you can still do physically and mentally, even with your health limitations. SSA’s medical consultants build your RFC using medical evidence, doctor statements, and your own Function Reports. That RFC is then compared against job data from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and the Selected Characteristics of Occupations (SCO), along with your work history. By weighing your RFC against the demands of real-world jobs, SSA decides whether you can still engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).

How SSA Uses the DOT and SCO

The DOT, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, catalogs thousands of occupations, each with detailed descriptions of the job’s physical and mental demands. Its companion, the SCO, provides more granular data—think of it as a job's fine print, such as how often you must stoop, whether the role involves detailed instructions, or the level of reasoning required.

SSA uses these references to compare your abilities—your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)—with the requirements of jobs you’ve performed in the past and jobs that might exist in the national economy. Even if you're unable to return to your previous work, SSA assesses whether there are other jobs you could still perform.

Past Relevant Work (PRW)

Past Relevant Work (PRW) plays a key role in the vocational evaluation process. According to SSA guidelines, PRW includes jobs:

  • Performed within the last 15 years

  • Lasted long enough for you to learn them adequately

  • Were performed at the level of substantial gainful activity (SGA)

The SSA compares your function reports to the demands of your past relevant work using DOT and SCO data (occupations and their requirements). If you can still perform any of those jobs, your claim may be denied. However, if your impairments prevent you from doing your past relevant work, SSA moves to the next step: evaluating whether you can adjust to other work.

Understanding Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) is essentially a functional resume for your body and mind. It describes what you can still do physically and mentally despite your medical impairments. SSA looks at:

  • Physical abilities (e.g., standing, lifting, walking)

  • Mental capabilities (e.g., memory, attention, ability to follow instructions)

  • Environmental tolerances (e.g., sensitivity to noise or temperature)

Medical records, physician opinions, and sometimes consultative exams contribute to your RFC assessment. SSA then matches your RFC against occupational demands to determine job compatibility.

Transferable Skills and New Work Possibilities

If you can’t do your past work, SSA will consider whether you have skills that could transfer to new, less demanding jobs. Transferable skills are usually learned in skilled or semi-skilled work and must be usable in a new job without extensive training.

For example:

  • A data entry clerk with limited lifting ability may still perform other sedentary clerical roles.

  • A mechanic with back issues may not transfer well unless their skills are also applicable in supervisory or instructional roles.

SSA uses vocational experts during hearings to evaluate transferability using DOT and SCO job descriptions.

What to Expect if Social Security Thinks You Can Still Work

When Social Security reviews your claim, they don’t just look at your past work—they also rely heavily on medical consultant reports known as Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessments. Using your medical records, doctor statements, and your own Function Report (SSA-3373), SSA’s medical experts complete detailed forms (SSA-4734) that describe what they believe you can still do. These reports may outline, for example, how long you can stand, how much you can lift, or how well you can concentrate and interact with others.

Key Disability Forms That Shape Your RFC

  • Form SSA-3373 (Function Report – Adult): Completed by you. Describes how your condition affects your ability to perform everyday activities. This gives SSA a first-hand view of your functional limits for RFC evaluation.

  • Form SSA-3380 (Function Report – Adult – Third Party): Completed by someone who knows you well. Provides an outside perspective on your struggles, adding context to SSA’s assessment of your RFC.

  • Form SSA-4734 (Residual Functional Capacity Assessment): Completed by SSA’s medical consultants. Translates medical records and function reports into a formal RFC opinion, detailing what physical or mental work you can still do.

Together, these forms create the foundation of your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)—the standard Social Security uses to decide if you can return to past work or adjust to other work.

Common Mistakes in Vocational Evaluations & How to Avoid Them

Applicants often overlook how important accurate job descriptions and medical documentation are to an SSDI claim. Mistakes to avoid:

  • Underreporting the physical demands of past work

  • Not providing detailed job duties

  • Failing to document mental limitations or environmental restrictions

Tip: Provide thorough job descriptions and keep a detailed record of all your limitations to help understand what might be considered in the RFC analysis.

Tips to HELP explain your limitations to examiners

  • Consult with a vocational expert or disability advocate early in the process, especially if your case involves skilled work.

  • Gather job descriptions from your previous employers or professional references.

  • Document your daily limitations to support your RFC assessment.

  • Submit medical evidence that clearly outlines your physical and mental restrictions in a format SSA can use.

What to Expect if SSA Says You Can Work

If Social Security decides you’re able to do your past job or another type of work, they may deny your disability claim. But that’s not the end of the road—you have the right to appeal. During an appeal hearing, an expert may be called in to explain what kinds of jobs someone with your limitations could still do. It’s important to correct any wrong assumptions they make and clearly explain the real challenges you face with working while disabled.

Summary

SSA uses more than just medical records to make a decision—they look at your entire work profile through tools like the DOT and SCO and review forms filled out by you and your medical providers. Understanding how your past work, current limitations, and transferable skills fit into this system can empower you during your SSDI claim. Clear documentation, expert support, and accurate job information can help create the total picture for your disability claim.

References

Disclaimer & AI Ethical Statement

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or questions. Consult with a licensed attorney for legal advice.

AI Ethical Statement: This article includes information sourced from government health websites, reputable academic journals, non-profit organizations, and is generated with the help AI. A human author has substantially edited, arranged, and reviewed all content, exercising creative control over the final output. People and machines make mistakes. Please contact us if you see a correction that needs to be made.

Jacky Writes
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