Definition of Past Relevant Work

SSA defines it as work that you:

• Performed within the last 15 years, focusing on recent job experience.
• Lasted long enough for you to learn the job duties and tasks.
• Is substantial and gainful, meaning the work earned enough income or required significant effort.

Role in Disability Determination

The SSA uses this to:

• Assess your ability to return to your previous occupations despite your disability.
• Compare your functional limitations with the demands of past work.
• Decide if you can perform any other work based on your skills and experience.

Impact on Nevada Disability Claims

For claimants in Nevada, this means:

• Recent employment history is scrutinized to validate claims.
• The nature and demands of past jobs must be clearly documented to prove inability to work.
• Work credits and job type guide the SSA’s analysis in local disability determinations.

Transferrable Skills Consideration

SSA looks at:

• Whether your skills can be applied to other types of work.
• Adjustments you may require in a new job environment.
• Residual functional capacity evaluations to measure your remaining work ability.

Common Challenges

Understanding and documenting past relevant work in Nevada can be difficult due to:

• Incomplete work history records or unclear job descriptions.
• Misunderstandings about how much recent work counts toward disability.
• Underestimating the need for detailed vocational evidence to support claims.