THE WORK HISTORY REPORT: HOW YOU CAN MAKE AND BREAK YOUR CASE
Written by Advocate Michael Parker
The Work History report is a 10-page document that you will receive from the Bureau of Disability Determination Services towards the end of your initial application. This form is extremely important to complete and complete accurately. You will be asked about every job that you held in the last 5 years.
There are important things to note about completing this paperwork:
1. Do not exacerbate or downplay your duties.
Always answer the form truthfully; however, if you have a position such as a Home Health Aide, you should think of the weight that you occasionally lifted and what you frequently lifted. If you had patients who required help on and off the toilet or in an out of bed, but the majority of your job was cooking, cleaning and getting groceries, then you really need to think about this job when completing the Work History Report. Occasionally, you could have lifted over 50-100 lbs when you lifted the patient on an off the toilet. For instance, you frequently lift groceries lifting less than 10 lbs. There are sections to put the weight you occasionally lifted and the weight you frequently lifted. Be sure to complete the form accurately.
There are some jobs that usually are performed seated and usually you will not lift more 10 lbs Examples of these jobs are a receptionists; however, if you received Fed Ex, UPS or USPS deliveries, which was certainly part of your job and those items could weigh up to 50 lbs, then you should indicate that you occasionally lifted 50 lbs.
2. Be concise:
You should answer all questions fully, but avoid giving extra details about your job and life. You do not need to write in full sentences. Give bullet points when necessary.
3. Give specific answers:
As much as you may want to give vague terms like “admin work.” You should assume that if you aren’t specific then SSA will interpret the duties as the most demanding version of the tasks:
Examples:
- Regularly lifted 10 gallon jubs of water and mopped daily (that is 80 lbs) not “I did basic janitorial work.”
- Entered my hours into a time sheet, not, “scheduling or payroll.”
- Answered phone and scheduled appointments, not “I handled reception and administration for the company’s executives.”
4. Keep your answers consistent:
One thing reviewers will look for is consistency across all your answers. For example, you could raise red flags if you say you lost the ability to stand for long periods of time, but then say that you stood for hours at a time during your next job.
It’s also very important to keep your answers consistent across the other forms in your application. Re-use exact text across the forms if it helps you stay consistent. Contradictory information can only hurt your application.
5. Use the Function Report as your guide:
When you filled out question 20 of the Function Report, you explained your disability and how it affects you. If it helps you to stay consistent, refer back to that question and use it as your guide when answering work history questions.
6. Answer all questions:
Don’t leave questions blank or unanswered. Otherwise a reviewer may mark your application as incomplete, delaying when you get benefits.
If a question doesn’t apply to you, write “none,” “does not apply,” or “N/A” instead of leaving it blank. If you don’t know the answer to a question, write “I don’t know” or “unsure.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Work History Report
What is the SSA Work History Report?
The Work History Report is a form sent by the Social Security Administration that asks applicants to describe the jobs they performed in the five years before they became disabled. It helps disability examiners understand the physical and mental demands of your past work.
Why is the Work History Report important?
The report helps examiners determine whether you can still perform your past jobs or adjust to other work. If the form is incomplete or inaccurate, it can negatively affect your disability claim.
What should I include when describing my job duties?
Be specific about your daily tasks and physical requirements. Include things like how much weight you lifted, how long you stood or walked, and the tools or equipment you used, rather than using vague descriptions like “general office work.”
Written and Fact Checked by: Michael Parker
Michael Parker is an advocate with Disability Help Group who works closely with individuals navigating the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application process. He helps clients understand complex SSA paperwork, develop stronger claims, and avoid common mistakes that can delay or jeopardize benefits.
Michael regularly assists applicants with critical forms such as the Work History Report and Function Report, ensuring that work duties, physical demands, and medical limitations are clearly documented for Social Security reviewers.
